She paid $25 for a porcelain cat without knowing it was a 'Fornasetti' original

When it comes to art and thrifting, it’s all in the little details. A woman named Jordan picked up a porcelain cat figure from an antique store, reported Newsweek. She didn’t think much of it when she initially purchased it, except for the fact that it looked interesting. After making the purchase of $25, she spotted a Fornasetti logo on it. To her surprise, the seemingly simple black and white dotted-print feline figure belonged to a luxury collection and was worth thousands of dollars. Along with realizing its value, the journey that she witnessed was also a special one. 

Jordan is a fan of antique collections and often browses for exceptional finds, especially in homeware. She revealed in a video on TikTok that she initially purchased the cat because she thought it looked pretty nice and interesting. “When I walked in the door, this cat sculpture was the first thing I saw on the table right in the entryway,” she remarked. Moreover, she knew such sculptures weren’t easily available, and being a fan of such art, she decided to pick it up. After seeing the logo, she realized it might be more than just an interesting item.

The Fornasetti brand on it meant it belonged to the “high-end Italian” collection of homeware. Their items are sold for hundreds or thousands of dollars. Jordan decided to check if it was an authentic Fornasetti piece and revealed in another post her email to the staff. After a while, she received confirmation that she had indeed landed a jackpot with the purchase. The cat was a hand-painted leopard print, dating back to the 1950s and 1960s. Given the time frame, Jordan mentioned it was likely that the founder, Piero Fornasetti, had painted it himself. 

Jordan pointed out that, to her knowledge, a piece designed like that is no longer available in just any homeware store. They are rare finds, available at only select vintage stores at special prices. While the price of this exact piece could not be found, other Fornesatti cats are usually sold for $1,800 to 3,500. After debating the idea, Jordan decided to hold onto the sculpture as it holds a lot more value than money — it's a piece of history worth talking about. “It’s definitely in my top three best finds,” she remarked. According to the British Antique Dealers’ Association, there is a rich history of the process of making Fornasetti items. The founder was reportedly an important figure in the world of Italian design, having created 13,000 works of art. His work is still held in high regard worldwide.

According to Global Market Insights, the global antiques and collectibles market was estimated to be around 238.1 billion dollars in 2024, and the rate is expected to significantly increase by 2034. Millennials and Gen Z are reportedly sporting a keen eye to spot and possess such unique pieces of art that hold profound history. The largest market is North America, and the reasons for purchase are characterized by economic and emotional factors. While some look at their purchases as investments, others look at them as nostalgia and an effort to conserve culture. To Jordan, it was a bit of both. Even the internet urged the woman to keep the piece. @e.r.z.7 wrote, “If you sell it, you’ll never see something like it again, and a home should be full of art.” @sherri1742 added, “I keep once-in-a-lifetime finds. You will regret selling it.”

You can follow Jordan on  Instagram (@le_jordin) and  TikTok (@le_jordin)for more content on vintage and antique collections.

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