Friday Favorite Flea Find: October 24, 2025
A Persimmon Prize from Canton, Texas.
There are flea market finds, and then there are Flea Market Finds. I spotted this gorgeous L.E. Smith swung vase at Canton’s First Monday Flea Market for just $75, and I could not believe my eyes. Before anyone else could even blink, I snatched it up, probably leaving a breeze in my wake.
This fiery piece, in the coveted persimmon or Amberina colorway, is a perfect example of the dramatic artistry that made L.E. Smith Glass Company one of the greats of mid-century American glass. Known for bold color blends and free-form silhouettes, L.E. Smith was among the most prolific makers of swung vases, producing everything from petite bud vases to towering floor pieces throughout the 1950s to 1970s. Their work, often mistaken for Viking or Fenton, stands out for its heavier base and sculptural stretched shapes, each one unique thanks to the glassblowers’ individual touch.
Even better, she glows under a black light, likely due to cadmium in the glass mix, giving this radiant beauty an otherworldly warmth when the lights go low.
At just $75, this piece was not only a great deal, it was a full-on treasure.
