A thrifter who paid just $4.99 for an ornate picture frame said they were stunned to later discover it could be worth hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars, after spotting a designer name on the back of the item. The find, later shared on Reddit, quickly went viral, drawing praise and disbelief from viewers online.
was shared to the platform by u/ItsBeb0 on March 3 and has since been upvoted more than 1,500 times. Alongside two images of the luxury frame, the poster wrote: “$5 for a picture frame worth hundreds if not thousands…I was so excited when I found this. I knew nothing about the brand, but I knew it felt heavyweight and was gorgeous! Can I even justify keeping something worth this much money?”
The images showed an empty, gold- and green-tinged picture frame with a visible price tag reading $4.99. A second photograph revealed the back of the frame, which featured an elaborate stand resembling interlocking leaves, as well as a logo identifying the designer as Jay Strongwater.
The post struck a chord with viewers on Reddit, many of whom congratulated not only on the bargain but also on preserving a high-end decorative item that could otherwise have been discarded.
One commenter urged caution and practical next steps, writing: “Someone is keeping it. It’s not going into the dump. The first thing you need to do is get it appraised. Add it to your insurance. If you need the money, you find a special auction to sell. If not, use it, store it. Don’t feel weird about paying 5 bucks though. Lots of works end up being saved from junk piles. You got one!”
Others shared personal connections to the decor designer, underscoring the emotional value such objects can carry.
“I LOVE his products. I met him a couple of times at conventions and he’s a very nice man,” one viewer said.
Another commenter described how Jay Strongwater pieces had become a family tradition: “Every year, my grandma gifts all the granddaughters Jay Strongwater ornaments that she finds on eBay. Christmas is her favorite time of year, and she wants us to have special decorations to look forward to displaying each year. They might be the nicest things I possess. I would cry if I found this.”
Jay Strongwater is known for highly decorative frames, ornaments and home accessories, often featuring intricate designs and luxe materials. Jay Strongwater frames can retail for anywhere from around $150 to as much as $4,900, depending on their materials and design.
Newsweek reached out to u/ItsBeb0 for more information via Reddit.
