Christine Rehm, a retiree who turned a chance buy into a remarkable windfall, illustrates how a simple purchase can become a story of value. Five years ago, while living near Alicante, she and her husband, Manfred, bought two glass vases at a jumble sale for 8 euros. This Tuesday, those same vases sold at auction for £1,200 (1,365 euros), a striking ascent in value.
At the time, Rehm admitted the purchase was sparked by whim rather than knowledge. It was a market find in trunks of abandoned cars, and the couple had no idea of the pieces’ true worth. The seller had tagged them at 10 euros, but as the deal closed, the price dropped to eight. “I just liked the style and especially the color,” she explained in a later interview. The Sun reported her words, noting the surprising origin of the items.
Initially, the vases were placed in a display case, then paused during a hall renovation to gauge their potential. The decision to seek a professional appraisal came after a test of curiosity—could they be something more than decorative pieces? The buyer recalls turning to Richard Winterton Auctioneers at Burton Market Hall for an expert evaluation, hoping for confirmation that there was real value to uncover. The moment of truth arrived when the appraiser began to recognize the pieces as something worthy of deeper consideration.
Genuine Loetz Parts
Upon returning to England in 2021, the couple decided to have the vases professionally valued. An antiques expert identified them as genuine Loetz parts. Loetz, a renowned Bohemian glass designer, produced pieces that often reach high prices at auction when authenticated as original. The expert’s assessment suggested a potential market value up to £1,200, aligning with the eventual sale.
The vases measure about 13 centimeters in height and feature a cloverleaf profile, attributes linked to the Loetz line from the early 1900s, a period when the firm’s art glass was at a peak of prestige. Sarah Williams of Richard Winterton Auctioneers provided the valuation, and the items were auctioned on Tuesday, May 2.
Williams explains that the defining feature of the Loetz genre is the wavy or feathered surface, achieved by wrapping hot glass strips around a molten core. This technique, a hallmark of the period, was patented in 1898 and remains a signature detail that separates genuine pieces from later reproductions.
“I’m so glad I brought them”
Loetz pieces are celebrated as among the most iconic examples of Art Nouveau. The factory endured a challenging timeline—two world wars, economic upheaval, and several fires—before closing its doors in 1947. The enduring appeal of Loetz’s work lies in its elegance and technical craft, which can translate into strong auction performance when provenance is clear.
The couple, who later returned to the United Kingdom in 2021 after 15 years in Spain, recounts how the experience shaped their outlook on collectibles. Rehm notes she is “very happy to have brought the vases with us,” a sentiment echoed by many collectors who discover hidden potential in humble finds. This case underscores how a spontaneous purchase can evolve into a widely recognized, valuable piece in a global antiques market.