Shannon Manthey was strolling out of a Birmingham thrift retailer when she noticed an ornamental sculpture of a magnolia flower and department priced at $39.99.
She acknowledged the work of Alabama artist Frank Fleming, who created Birmingham’s Storyteller Fountain and died in 2018.
“I knew it was a worthwhile piece immediately,” Manthey mentioned. “It was on the weekend, about closing time on the Goodwill and I used to be strolling out the door, and I requested myself, ‘what did I simply see?’”
Manthey mentioned the sculpture is signed by Fleming. She additionally picked up one other small scupture that featured calla lillies and a turtle. She mentioned she was shocked to see the items on the Goodwill Outlet on Inexperienced Springs Freeway in Birmingham.
One other customer to the identical Goodwill just lately discovered a designer marriage ceremony costume valued at $6,000.
Manthey is donating the magnolia sculpture to the Birmingham Zoo to be positioned for public sale throughout its annual gala.
“I’m placing this piece to good use,” she mentioned in a TikTok video.
“However I’m preserving this piece,” she mentioned of the calla lilies design. “I’m in love.”
The Zoo’s annual fundraiser is Oct. 5 at 5:30 pm. The adults-only occasion will embrace animal encounters, meals, an open bar, dwell music and the public sale.
