Franz Joseph Kriesche (1865-1946)

Franz Joseph Kriesche was born on August 15, 1865 in Heide, Bohemia, a region of Eastern Europe renowned for its many talented artists. Bohemia was incorporated into the newly-formed Republic of Czechoslovakia following the collapse of the Habsburg Monarchy at the end of the World War I and survives to this day, sharing its borders with Germany, Austria and Poland.

Franz trained as a glass engraver, etching intricate designs into decanters, goblets and other fine glassware. As a young man, he worked in Prague where he both practiced his craft and trained others in the art of glass decoration.

In the early 1890's, Franz joined the wave of artisans who left Bohemia for America. His grand-daughter relates that he traveled with his engraving tools strapped to his chest, fearful of losing them during the long journey to his new home in the US. Franz settled in the Midwest and Anglicized his name to "Frank" Kriesche. During the winter months (1898-1910), he worked for the Pickard China Studio in Chicago. Pickard specialized in decorating plates and dishes: many such pieces bearing Frank's signature survive to this day and are highly prized by collectors. He also decorated china for the Edward Donath Studio.

Frank spent his summers on Mackinac Island, a popular tourist destination of the day. He lived in a house located behind St Ann's Catholic church but during the day he worked in a store that he owned on Main Street. The store sold fine crystal glassware that he imported from Europe and then engraved to order, items that were used in the many vacation homes on the island. The glassware was brought to Mackinac Island by ship. Frank's teenage grandson, who worked at the local docks on Lake Huron, recalls his grandfather nervously supervising as crates of fragile Czechoslovakian glass were unloaded for transport to his store.

Frank also custom-engraved souvenir glasses for the visitors. Most pre-Prohibition whiskey glass collectors are familiar with ruby-flashed shot glasses and toothpick holders bearing a name and date (e.g. at left below): Frank's skilled hand was responsible for hundreds of such items that left the Island with vacationers and made their way back to homes across the Midwest.

""To Gracie from Mackinac Island August 23, 1894"
Three examples of Mackinac Island souvenir glasses created by artist Frank J Kriesche. From the Patricia Merchand collection: reproduced here with kind permission.

Less common are the small masterpieces that Frank created using standard thin-walled highball glass blanks. He hand-painted small scenes featuring sight-seer favorites such as Fort Mackinac and Sugar Loaf rock, embellishing the borders with small blue flowers and leaves (middle and right above). Frank would then engrave the name of the purchaser on the obverse, along with the date of their visit to the Island. More examples of Frank Kriesche's work can be seen on a site hosted by the Mackinac Island State Park Commission.

Frank continued to run his store on the Island for almost fifty years. He died on February 16, 1946 at the Plaza Hotel in Chicago. Frank's son, Frank Kriesche Jr., also proved to be a talented artist and maintained a commercial studio in Chicago until his death in 1951.

Many thanks to Patricia Merchand, great-granddaughter of Frank Kriesche Sr., for sharing images and details of her family history.

From the Patricia Merchand collection: reproduced here with kind permission.