Vintage Lidded Vase Signed and Dated

August (Gus) Lukow (1954-2020) of Frederick, Maryland created this lidded stoneware vase in 2011. Gus earned a Master's in Chemistry at Hope College in Michigan and taught for many years while he created art pottery and paintings. The shapely vase is made of speckled tan clay covered with a beautiful olive green silky glaze that's daubed and spattered with rust and brown. The modern inverted body, wider at the top than at the bottom, has concentric, raised grooves banded in dark red. The dry base flares out; the bottom is signed with the conjoined letters AL, the name Lukow and the number 11, all hand inscribed in the clay. The interior of the piece is fully glazed in green, with an overlay of the same red dripping down.

The wonderful lid is the finishing touch. More of the red color is speckled over the green along with caramel colored blobs scattered across it. The angled and curved wooden branch, 5 3/4 inches long, is encircled with narrow strips of tan raw leather. There is an inner flange to corral the movement of the lid across the base.

Measuring 7 3/4 inches to the top of the lid, which is 6 inches in diameter, the jar is about 6 inches across at the widest point. The base is 3 1/2 inches in diameter and the weight is just under 3 pounds. It is excellent condition, with no wear or damage. Since it's glazed inside, it can be used for fresh flowers as well as drieds or silks. This handsome art pottery lidded vase can, of course, decorate and enhance any setting in your home.

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