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There’s a group called Weird Secondhand Finds That Just Need To Be Shared dedicated to some of the most "wat da heck" oddities found at thrift stores, flea markets, garage sales, and wherever you go not to spend an arm and a leg on something that functions. If you just got here, check out our previous posts with their catches here, here, and here.

But this post is shinin’ bright like a diamond ‘cause we are talking lamps. Not just some basic pound store-grade sources of light that emit questionable levels of dimness, but proud secondhand catches that prove the hunter's mad thrifting skills.

From a super fancy Looney Tunes lamp to a honking goose lamp, these are some of the most illuminating finds people have shared in the group. In an unlikely match, interior design lovers and secondhand hunters unite, and the result is this miscellaneous compilation below.

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#1

My Greatest Thrift Find Ever. When I Bought It I Only Thought The Dots Would Glow. I Was Shocked When I Turned It On!! Best $10 I Ever Spent. Hope House Foundation Thrift Shop, Norfolk Va

My Greatest Thrift Find Ever. When I Bought It I Only Thought The Dots Would Glow. I Was Shocked When I Turned It On!! Best $10 I Ever Spent. Hope House Foundation Thrift Shop, Norfolk Va

Hannah Marie Report

#2

Snagged This Amazing Lamp For My Sons Room Since He Loves Dragons And Dinosaurs But I Think I Fell In Love With It!! It Is So Cool!

Snagged This Amazing Lamp For My Sons Room Since He Loves Dragons And Dinosaurs But I Think I Fell In Love With It!! It Is So Cool!

Alicia Miller Report

#3

Got This Unusual Lightbulb As Bonus To A $5 Lamp At Value Village In Fairbanks

Got This Unusual Lightbulb As Bonus To A $5 Lamp At Value Village In Fairbanks

Sarah Olga Thomas Report

Bored Panda reached out to the founders of the Weird Secondhand Finds group that started as “a gathering place intended for our friends and family” and turned into a full-blown passionate community with more than 1.9 million followers.

We asked them about secondhand lamp hunting and it turns out, it’s more popular than you’d think. The co-founder said that lamps are a super common item found in American thrift stores. “A lot of very unusual lamps can be found pretty regularly at thrift shops and yard sales.”

#4

Introducing Our Seahorse Floor Lamp! It Stands About 6 Feet Tall And Cost Us $75 From Our Local Goodwill About 12 Years Ago

Introducing Our Seahorse Floor Lamp! It Stands About 6 Feet Tall And Cost Us $75 From Our Local Goodwill About 12 Years Ago

JJ Burnworth Report

#5

Finally Found A Mushroom Lamp Today! I Am In Love

Finally Found A Mushroom Lamp Today! I Am In Love

Alexandra McKay Report

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Kisses4Katie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am jealous of your Merry Mushroom set. I have the taurine myself

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#6

Found A Beautiful Blue Telephone At A Garage Sale Last Month And My Husband Made A Lamp Out Of It For Me. I Love It!!!

Found A Beautiful Blue Telephone At A Garage Sale Last Month And My Husband Made A Lamp Out Of It For Me. I Love It!!!

Joan Rogers Report

As you can imagine, their group is so active, with at least 1 post submitted every minute and 2 to 3 posts per minute on busier days, that it’s hard to follow what kind of unusual lamps get submitted among the posts.

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One of the co-founders has said that these two findings have stood out in particular—a gigantic chicken lamp and a six-foot-tall artichoke-esque lamp.

#7

I Inherited This Cool UFO Looking Lamp From My Great Uncle This Past Year. It Doesnt Have Any Maker Markings On It So Its Hard To Look Up How Old It Is. Its Made Entirely Out Of Brass And Glass And Is One Of My Favorite Things Ive Ever Acquired

I Inherited This Cool UFO Looking Lamp From My Great Uncle This Past Year. It Doesnt Have Any Maker Markings On It So Its Hard To Look Up How Old It Is. Its Made Entirely Out Of Brass And Glass And Is One Of My Favorite Things Ive Ever Acquired

Calli Steffen Report

#8

This Stain Glass Whale Light Measuring 4' Long Was Going To Be Thrown In A Dumpster

This Stain Glass Whale Light Measuring 4' Long Was Going To Be Thrown In A Dumpster

It was hanging in a wood shop so it was covered with a thick layer of saw dust. I brought it home and cleaned it up really well and it turned out looking really nice. I love whales and I'm extremely happy to have saved this beautiful one of a kind piece of art from being destroyed. It's in it's forever home!

Chris Braga Report

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Kathy Baylis
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Amazing it was going to be thrown away. Some people just don’t know the value of what they have, and throw away some real treasures.

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#9

It’s A Two Foot Tall Metal Mushroom With Two Little Mushroom Pals

It’s A Two Foot Tall Metal Mushroom With Two Little Mushroom Pals

Krista Brochman Report

The founders also said that thrifting or junk hunting is something we all can learn, but “you have to have an interest in it first.” “For the people in the group, I think it's largely a hobby,” but there are a few who “have managed to turn it into an income source.”

At the end of the day, it’s mostly about “the thrill of the hunt more than anything else,” said the co-founder, and I can see what she’s saying. I mean, who wouldn’t be over the moon after hunting down the most random, yet oddly beautiful gigantic chicken lamp to put in their living room? I would.

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#10

My Awesome Oyster Lamp I Was Able To Scoop Up For A Mere $20 Since It Did Not Light Up. I Am Happy To Report It Is Now Working Great And Is Illuminating The Entire Room!

My Awesome Oyster Lamp I Was Able To Scoop Up For A Mere $20 Since It Did Not Light Up. I Am Happy To Report It Is Now Working Great And Is Illuminating The Entire Room!

Taylor Serdy Report

#11

Octopus Lamp Found At The Johnson Terminal Antique Mall In Winnipeg

Octopus Lamp Found At The Johnson Terminal Antique Mall In Winnipeg

Libby Schmidt‎ Report

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Cold Contagious
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This octopus lamp is magnificent, but I love octopus so much! Such a fantastic piece of art! I would love to have it.

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#12

Bought This Lamp From A Very Lovely Woman During A Moving Sale Recently And I Don’t Think I Was Able To Express My Gratitude Enough For Selling Me This Amazing Piece. Yes, It Is A Woman Riding A Dolphin. Yes, It Is Now My Favorite Thing Ever

Bought This Lamp From A Very Lovely Woman During A Moving Sale Recently And I Don’t Think I Was Able To Express My Gratitude Enough For Selling Me This Amazing Piece. Yes, It Is A Woman Riding A Dolphin. Yes, It Is Now My Favorite Thing Ever

Savannah Crutchley Report

#13

I Found This Stunning Tree Of Life Lamp At The Goodwill In Ft Myers! It Is So Awesome, That The Spouse Said, “That’s Really Cool, Did They Have Two?”. He Really Doesn’t Get It!! It Is All One Giant Piece Of Wood. The Detail Is Amazing. I Feel So Fortunate To Have Gotten For Only $19.00!

I Found This Stunning Tree Of Life Lamp At The Goodwill In Ft Myers! It Is So Awesome, That The Spouse Said, “That’s Really Cool, Did They Have Two?”. He Really Doesn’t Get It!! It Is All One Giant Piece Of Wood. The Detail Is Amazing. I Feel So Fortunate To Have Gotten For Only $19.00!

Kimberly O'keefe Report

#14

I "Found" This Broken Street Lamp Globe On The Side Of The Road And With Some Cleaning, Gluing, And Christmas Lights It's My New Favorite Lamp!

I "Found" This Broken Street Lamp Globe On The Side Of The Road And With Some Cleaning, Gluing, And Christmas Lights It's My New Favorite Lamp!

Anna Genrich‎ Report

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Kathy Baylis
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Doesn’t look like it was ever broken and repaired—-great job!

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#15

I Found This Lamp In A Dumpster Around 4 Years Ago, It Was In Perfect Condition And The Light Bulb Still Worked.. I Haven't Ever Needed To Replace The Bulb Despite Leaving It On Pretty Much 24/7. I Have No Idea Where It Could Have Come From Or Why It Exists But I Love My Giant Pear Lamp

I Found This Lamp In A Dumpster Around 4 Years Ago, It Was In Perfect Condition And The Light Bulb Still Worked.. I Haven't Ever Needed To Replace The Bulb Despite Leaving It On Pretty Much 24/7. I Have No Idea Where It Could Have Come From Or Why It Exists But I Love My Giant Pear Lamp

Jasmine Priest‎ Report

#16

Alien Lamp

Alien Lamp

Laura McCartney Report

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Raine Soo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Er, yeah...If I had that in my house, I'm not sure that I'll be able to sleep at night...or ever again.

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#17

Since There Seems To Be A Few Awesome Lamp Posts Today (No Pun Intended), I Thought I Would Share This Dreamy Massive Lamp That Appealed To The 10-Year-Old In Me. Approximately Two And A Half Feet Tall (Without The Shade). Seen At The Out Of The Closet Thrift Store In Pasadena, California

Since There Seems To Be A Few Awesome Lamp Posts Today (No Pun Intended), I Thought I Would Share This Dreamy Massive Lamp That Appealed To The 10-Year-Old In Me. Approximately Two And A Half Feet Tall (Without The Shade). Seen At The Out Of The Closet Thrift Store In Pasadena, California

Michael Cosgrove Report

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Zoe's Mom
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow; never seen anything like this. Super cool. Would like to see it lit up.

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#18

This Magnificent Lamp! $8 At The Thrift Store

This Magnificent Lamp! $8 At The Thrift Store

Katie Jane Report

#19

This Light Came From My Fiance's Recently Deceased Mother's House. It's Been In The Family For Ages, I Was Told It Is An Original Tiffany Lamp, But Can Never Find Any Information On It. It's My Favorite Piece In My Vintage Bar Room

This Light Came From My Fiance's Recently Deceased Mother's House. It's Been In The Family For Ages, I Was Told It Is An Original Tiffany Lamp, But Can Never Find Any Information On It. It's My Favorite Piece In My Vintage Bar Room

Amanda Sherman Report

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Aunt Messy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If it's Tiffany, it will be marked. If there's no mark you have something else.

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#20

This Amazing Lamp Was Made By My Dad In The Mid 1960s!

This Amazing Lamp Was Made By My Dad In The Mid 1960s!

This amazing lamp was made by my dad in the mid 1960s!! He use to collect agates from the Yellowstone River near Terry MT. The winter river ices would tear up the riverbed leaving agates exposed. He would pick them and cut them and then set them in teardrop molds and pour resin over them. This is just one of the lamps he made

Kadi Jo Report

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Cold Contagious
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Such a beautiful piece and a wonderful memory of a possession to be cherished for years to come.

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#21

My Mom Gave Me This Lamp. It Was A Wedding Present To Her And My Dad. It Came From The Philippines And Is Made From Shell. It Needs Some Tlc But I’m So Happy To See It Works Still

My Mom Gave Me This Lamp. It Was A Wedding Present To Her And My Dad. It Came From The Philippines And Is Made From Shell. It Needs Some Tlc But I’m So Happy To See It Works Still

Crystal Ramos Report

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Anna McHugh
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow - you should put that somewhere really high, like an entrance hall. that's lovely

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#22

I Collect Stained Glass Lamps. Here's One I Love The Most

I Collect Stained Glass Lamps. Here's One I Love The Most

Jeanne Norton Report

#23

It's A Lamp! I Passed By It A Couple Times But Had To Have It And Went Back For It. The Lady Having Her Yard Sale Wanted $2 For It!! Sold In A Heartbeat!

It's A Lamp! I Passed By It A Couple Times But Had To Have It And Went Back For It. The Lady Having Her Yard Sale Wanted $2 For It!! Sold In A Heartbeat!

Amy Holliday Report

#24

When I Was A Little Girl, My Grandmas' Had One Of These Rain Lamps And I Was Absolutely Memorized By It. I Thought It Was The Most Beautiful Thing Hanging In Their Pepto-Bismol Pink Painted Living Room

When I Was A Little Girl, My Grandmas' Had One Of These Rain Lamps And I Was Absolutely Memorized By It. I Thought It Was The Most Beautiful Thing Hanging In Their Pepto-Bismol Pink Painted Living Room

When I was a little girl, my grandmas' had one of these rain lamps and I was absolutely memorized by it. I thought it was the most beautiful thing hanging in their Pepto-Bismol pink painted living room.
Fast forward 18 years, my husband asks me what I want for Christmas. I pitched the idea of one of these not knowing they cost an arm and a leg. My sweet husband found one for me, it was in dire need of repair. The pump didn't work, it needed to be restrung, and it was filthy. He spent time after work for weeks fixing this up for me secretly at his parents house.
Christmas morning I woke up to this gorgeous babe, working in her full glory. Majestic AF.
My heart is so full Everytime I look at it.

Larah Moore Report

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Auggie LaBonte
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was a kid, I thought anyone who had these were fancy and rich. I could sit on their plastic covered white couch for hours and watch the oil drip :D

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#25

Floral Lamp

Floral Lamp

Yesterday someone posted their Amazing floral lamp find and I thought to myself, “Man how do people get so lucky?” Long story short, my grandmother had a pole light with lotus-like glass shades that hung in the corner of her apartment that I loved. After she died, I never knew what happened to that piece. For years I tried to find something equivalent, but it was either A) Way too Expensive or B)It sold before I got a chance to buy it. Well after drooling over the person’s lucky find, I continued to scroll through my feed and saw someone had just posted this beauty for sale! I commented and got it!! $40, a one hour drive (by my adoring hubby) later, the women who sold it to me told him someone offered her double right after she sold the lamp to me, “but she couldn’t do that to her (me) as she knew how much she loves (I loved) the piece.”

No idea where I will put it, I’m 5’4” tall and it’s about a little over half the height of me, but I’m super excited and just had to share my find with you all!!

The light has a 2,3 all 5 light mode and it’s so pretty! Post the other 2 pics I have in the comments! I love it!!

Tif Farmakis-Day Report

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#26

I Found This On Ebay Years Ago And Instantly Fell In Love With It. I Paid More Than I Am Willing To Admit But It Is One Of My Prized Posessions. I Love The Stained Glass Style And My Husband Loves Nightmare Before Christmas

I Found This On Ebay Years Ago And Instantly Fell In Love With It. I Paid More Than I Am Willing To Admit But It Is One Of My Prized Posessions. I Love The Stained Glass Style And My Husband Loves Nightmare Before Christmas

Lindsey Collins Report

#27

First Timer.... I Bought This Coral Mushroom Lamp From A Goodwill In Dallas Oregon For $5!!! I Had No Idea It Was Vintage And No Idea It Was Worth More Than $5 Until I Saw Someone Else Post One Similar To Mine!!! I Love This Lamp So Much! I Will Treasure Forever

First Timer.... I Bought This Coral Mushroom Lamp From A Goodwill In Dallas Oregon For $5!!! I Had No Idea It Was Vintage And No Idea It Was Worth More Than $5 Until I Saw Someone Else Post One Similar To Mine!!! I Love This Lamp So Much! I Will Treasure Forever

Anna Holmes Report

#28

Found This Awesome Lamp At Coin Antique In Hutchinson, Mn Was Love At First Sight, Bought It With No Regrets

Found This Awesome Lamp At Coin Antique In Hutchinson, Mn Was Love At First Sight, Bought It With No Regrets

Kyle Shelstad Report

#29

I Call It My Queen Lamp. Best Part Is The Bottom Cut Out Design Makes A Cool And Cozy Pattern On The Wall At Night. $5. Thanks Goodwill

I Call It My Queen Lamp. Best Part Is The Bottom Cut Out Design Makes A Cool And Cozy Pattern On The Wall At Night. $5. Thanks Goodwill

Elizabeth Basa Report

#30

My Aunt Purchased This Goose Lamp At A Thrift Store Or Yard Sale Probably 20+ Years Ago As A Gag Gift

My Aunt Purchased This Goose Lamp At A Thrift Store Or Yard Sale Probably 20+ Years Ago As A Gag Gift

My aunt purchased this goose lamp at a thrift store or yard sale probably 20+ years ago as a gag gift. My parents loved it and proudly displayed it in their front window for many years, complete with a wardrobe of seasonal and holiday outfits. My mom’s friend stumbled on another goose lamp and gave it to them as well. So my parents eventually passed the original goose on to me to display in my own window. He now wears a sombrero that my friend bought for my cat (the cat didn’t like the sombrero as much as the goose lamp did). I thought my suburban neighborhood would hate the goose, but during quarantine, I have met many neighbors and they all love it! He’s on a timer. I used to have a WiFi lightbulb in there, but it was just out of good WiFi range and was flaky, so I switched back to an old school plug-in timer. I recently got new WiFi with an extra unit - maybe I should try again or get one of those LED bulbs that can change colors

Carrie O'Brien Report

Note: this post originally had 106 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.