Susan Frackelton Punch Bowl
Known in the art world for her unique “blue and grey” stoneware style, china painting and book illumination, Susan S. Frackelton was more than just an artist. Her innovation in those art forms helped elevate American decorative arts to a standard of excellence and, at the same time, dispelled any myths about women being unable to rise above the rank of an amateur artist. Akin to women of today, she used her talents as an artist and entrepreneur to break through the bonds of traditional gender roles, both in the art world and society.
The originality of Frackelton’s art pottery and china painting lies in the intertwining naturalistic themes with the utilitarian function of her work. The punch bowl, which was part of a set that won an award at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, is a perfect example of this. Its function is to house wine at a gathering. Frackelton connected the functionality of the piece with nature by decorating the exterior with a grape and leaf design, with grapes being the main ingredient in wine processing.
The medals and awards that she won dispelled any notions that a woman could compete on a national and international stage in the ceramic arts. As her reputation grew, Frackelton’s china decorating business flourished, which helped her family stave off bankruptcy after her husband’s import business failed. Her continued involvement in developing societies and clubs, most notably the National League of Mineral Painters, helped to elevate the cause of female amateur artists and opened the door for them to exhibit their work going forward.
Susan Frackelton and her punch bowl are symbols of progressivism and innovation in a field that was dominated by men. Since her time, women of all ages and backgrounds have become pioneers in their careers, paving the way for women of future generations to be successful and contribute to society.
For more information on Susan Frackelton:
Korenic, Lynette. The Decorative Fire of Susan S. Frackelton: China painting,
Art pottery, and book illumination. PhD diss., Univ of Cal-Santa Barbara, 2006.
Sinsinawa Dominicans. Susan S. Frackelton, woman of fire: the Sinsinawa
Collection of painted porcelain and art pottery. Sinsinawa, WI, 2004.
Weedon, George A. Susan S. Frackelton & the American Arts and
Crafts Movement. Thesis (M.A.)., University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 1975.
To view the Wisconsin Historical Society’s Frackelton collection, go to:
http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/museum/exhibits/frackelton/index.asp
