LUKE LIETZKE (1906-2000), USA
LIETZKE DESIGNS   Mogodore, Ohio

Large floor vessel c. 1955-1960

Blue glazed stoneware cylindrical vessel which has been shaped at the top into an elliptical form; the black glazed lip is rolled over with a flaring collar-like edge and the body is decorated with an abstract incised sgraffito line decoration.

Signed on bottom: Lietzke (inscribed in oval)

H: 15″ x W: 14″ x D: 13″

Price: $17,500

Luke Lietzke studied art at Michigan State University and the Art Institute of Chicago. At Michigan State she met her husband and life-long partner in design, Rolland. They moved to Ohio when Rolland accepted a job with Goodyear Aerospace and in 1942, when Rolland took a job with Firestone, they moved to Akron, Ohio. It was there that Luke volunteered at the Akron Art Museum. This position quickly developed into a design curator’s position created especially for her. Her memorable exhibits included such notable artists as Charles Eames, George Nelson and Isamu Noguchi. In 1964 she left the Museum and for a short period worked as a design coordinator. In 1966, she and her husband created their own company where she functioned as an exhibition designer, an interior design consultant and most significantly: a designer craftsman. Her porcelain pieces consistently received exhibition awards since 1948 and are included in six museum collections. Her talents  would often combine to develop special projects, such as the design for the Akron-Summit County Public Library. Both her pottery and jewelry reflect her wealth of knowledge as well as her exposure to the world of International art.