A staff member at Kringwinkel Antwerp uncovered a genuine Pablo Picasso ceramic bowl among donations, highlighting the role of thrift shops in supporting social causes while occasionally housing valuable art treasures.
In a surprising development on 25 April 2025, a staff member at Kringwinkel Antwerp, one of Belgium’s prominent thrift stores, uncovered a remarkable ceramic bowl attributed to the renowned artist Pablo Picasso. The discovery shines a light on the unique role thrift shops play in not only facilitating social causes but also potentially housing valuable art treasures.
Frank Van Buel, an employee at Kringwinkel Antwerp, identified the distinctive pottery amidst regular daily donations. Following the initial find, the Kringwinkel team collaborated with art experts to verify the authenticity of the piece, confirming it was indeed a genuine Picasso ceramic.
The remarkable bowl was subsequently purchased for €12,600 by a collector named Johan, highlighting how valuable items can sometimes be overlooked by donors who may not be aware of an object’s true worth. The Kringwinkel organisation noted that many valuable pieces often arrive at their stores unrecognised, donated simply out of generosity or lack of knowledge about their significance.
Kringwinkel’s broader mission encompasses not only encouraging donation and reuse culture but also supporting social economy and autism initiatives in Belgium. The proceeds from sales like this one directly benefit these social programmes, reinforcing the organisation’s commitment to community welfare.
In light of this discovery, Kringwinkel has encouraged its staff members to further develop their expertise in identifying valuable and historically significant items, underscoring how training can enhance the chances of unearthing more hidden gems.
This incident raises intriguing questions about how masterpieces such as a Picasso bowl find their way into thrift stores. Factors contributing to this phenomenon include a general public unawareness of the value of certain artworks, a spirit of generosity in donating items to the community, and the social responsibility embraced by thrift stores offering a platform where art and social good intersect.
Overall, the discovery at Kringwinkel Antwerp reveals the unique intersection between art, community engagement, and social responsibility within Belgium’s thrift store network, underscoring the potential treasures that could yet be hidden in everyday donation bins.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.brusselstimes.com/1550059/picasso-bowl-discovered-in-antwerp-thrift-store – Corroborates the discovery of a Picasso ceramic bowl at Kringwinkel Antwerp on 25 April 2025, including details about the authentication process via stamps (‘Madoura Plein Feu’ and ‘Empreinte Originale de Picasso’) and the auction price of €12,600.
- https://www.belganewsagency.eu/picasso-bowl-ends-up-in-antwerp-thrift-store – Confirms the bowl’s discovery by Kringwinkel Antwerp staff, its bullfight design, limited edition status (200 pieces), and the buyer’s intention to donate it to an autism charity.
- https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/en/2025/04/25/an-earthenware-dish-signed-by-picasso-found-at-antwerp-second-ha/ – Supports the role of staff training in identifying the bowl, details its composition (white earthenware with brown-green engobe), and verifies its 1953 creation date and Madoura workshop origin.
- https://ground.news/article/a-nice-find-a-bowl-of-pablo-picasso-found-in-a-second-hand-shop-in-antwerp – Reiterates the bowl’s discovery date (25 April 2025) and Kringwinkel Antwerp’s role as the thrift store where it surfaced.
- https://www.instagram.com/artfairmag/reel/DGBR89oor1a/ – Demonstrates Picasso’s established involvement in ceramic art through a 2025 gallery exhibition, contextualizing the authenticity of similar works.
- https://www.brusselstimes.com/1550059/picasso-bowl-discovered-in-antwerp-thrift-store – Additional reference to Kringwinkel Antwerp’s recent discovery of a James Ensor etching, illustrating their track record of identifying valuable art donations.
- https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMia0FVX3lxTE00b2pXb3pQdVhMdGtPN044cHhzZXh6eGw1UXFpcmd4dDBQMkltMDN1ZWlYb21QWnZpWDVHUnpMSTRmTDlpQlJMeVh3T3ZkdkotQ2dxM1laeURRcjJjOXFncnRMZnZnblpmaXow?oc=5&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en – Please view link – unable to able to access data
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative reports an event dated 25 April 2025 (day before current date), indicating recent occurrence. No evidence of recycled content found.
Quotes check
Score:
3
Notes:
No direct quotes requiring source verification. General statements about staff (Frank Van Buel) and procedures lack attributable quotes for validation.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
Narrative originates via Google News feed, potentially aggregating from Belgian outlets. Specific publication not identified, limiting reliability assessment.
Plausability check
Score:
7
Notes:
Discovery of misidentified art in thrift stores is historically documented. Lack of named authenticators or images reduces certainty, though narrative structure appears coherent.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
Recent date and plausible scenario support credibility, but absence of primary sources or verification details leaves key claims unconfirmed. Requires direct confirmation from Kringwinkel Antwerp or collaborating art experts.
