VTG Wall Tile Trivet Leone Kuhne Native American Southwest Glazed Pottery 1980s

This beautiful vintage framed collector’s wall tile/trivet is preowned and in great condition with gentle wear from age and use. Circa 1980’s 5.5” x 5.5” x 1” Tile is glazed earthenware pottery…Arizona Wooden Mount or frame around it made in Mexico. About the artist: Leone Kuhne was raised on a ranch in the Southwest Gila Wilderness ninety miles from the nearest town. She lived a part of the old west, and the spirit of the Western frontier is predominant in her tile works. She moved to Tucson in 1952. she was established as an artist but had set it aside to raise her four children. In Tucson Leone became well known for her portraits. Many hang in the banks, hospitals and public buildings in the area. One of her major commissions was doing 21 portraits of famous sports figures for the Sports Hall of Fame in Albuquerque, New Mexico. During the 70's & 80's she painted a series of portraits dedicated to the native American Indian. Several of these were produced as limited edition lithographs. Leone also became well known for her sculptures in turquoise and bronze. In 1982 she was commissioned to do a silver sculpture of a famous golfer for the Tournament Players Association in Ponte Vedra, Fla. In the 80’s Leone started to apply her talents to tile art. Leone's bronzes, carvings, paintings and tile works are a tribute to the hardships and brave fortitude of the pioneers and Native Americans alike. Leone passed in February 1999. Her memory lives on in the art she left behind.