I wandered into a thrift store with no particular goal, just hoping to browse, when something unusual caught my eye—a small object that looked like a cross between a potato and a submarine.
Flipping it over, I noticed the inscription: “Ant. Canella Ferrara, Italy.” To my surprise, it was a handmade ceramic ocarina from Italy—and it was priced at just one dollar.
Curious, I looked it up and learned it was an Antonio Canella ocarina, a beautifully crafted wind instrument hailing from Ferrara. Ocarinas have been around for centuries, and the modern version became popular in 19th-century Italy. Antonio Canella’s instruments are highly regarded for both their sound and craftsmanship.
The one I found is a brown, ten-hole transverse ocarina with a gold stamp near the mouthpiece. It clearly feels handmade, and when I played it, it produced a haunting, unique tone. Typically, Canella ocarinas sell for $30–$100—or more—so finding one for just a dollar felt like a stroke of luck.
Ocarinas are known for their soft, nostalgic sound, making them perfect for playing, collecting, or display. This little discovery was a reminder that thrift stores can hold hidden treasures—you just need to look closely.