Artist Claude Conover was a master ceramicist, known for rustic pieces that appear roughly finished yet were created with meticulous care. Though he was not averse to using color and glaze, Conover is most noted for his monochromatic ceramics and pottery. These pieces have a simple, rugged appeal, setting them apart from many of his mid-century modern contemporaries. He often etched lines onto the surfaces of his vessels, planters and other decorative objects, giving them an old-world appearance.
Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Conover attended the Cleveland Institute of Art. From there, he worked for 30 years as a commercial designer. At 55, Conover quit his job and devoted his time to making ceramics, a skill that he taught himself.
Conover put himself on a strict, seven-day weekly schedule in which he focused on specific parts of the ceramic process, from rolling the vase necks to the final furnacing and glazing. Each week, he turned out an average of six unique handmade pieces, creating about 250 works per year. Conover pursued a simplistic style, finding the beauty within the materials themselves without the need for lavish ornamentation or opulent colors. He drew inspiration from nature, always keeping his eyes open to new ideas for form and utility.
Over the course of his career, Conover’s work was shown in scores of museum exhibitions all over the United States. In 1983, he won the Cleveland Arts Prize for Visual Arts. Conover’s ceramic pieces are still widely celebrated by collectors and art enthusiasts. Today, many museums and private collections hold his ceramics and pottery, including the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
On 1stDibs, find Claude Conover serveware, vases and sculptures.
Mid-Century Modern Ceramic Vase by Claude Conover, Hand-Crafted, USA, 1970s
By Claude Conover
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century Modern Ceramic Vase by Claude Conover, Hand-Crafted, USA, 1970s. Large hand built stoneware vase decorating with hatching and scratching patterns. An incised line divides...
Ceramic, Pottery
Mid-Century Modern Ceramic Vase by Claude Conover, Signed 1968
By Claude Conover
Located in New York, NY
Claude Conover vase, "Toluca", ceramic, signed. Large hand built incised stoneware vase, glazed in subtle two tone and finely decorated with Conover's signature hatching and scratchi...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Claude Conover "Tzutan" Stoneware Vase or Vessel, 1970s
By Claude Conover
Located in Hamburg, PA
Claude Conover stoneware vessel titled “Tzutan.” Signed and titled on the underside: CLAUDE CONOVER / "TZUTAN". Hand-built Cleveland studio piece with Conover’s typical squat bottle...
Stoneware
Signed Claude Conover Sculptural Ceramic Vessel - Mid-Century American Modern
By Claude Conover
Located in Dallas, TX
Elegant sculptural ceramic vessel by Claude Conover, a central figure in the postwar American studio pottery movement. Untitled and signed on the underside, the work features a beaut...
Ceramic
Chrapas Vessel by Claude Conover, Mid-Century Modern Stoneware, USA
By Claude Conover
Located in Dallas, TX
A large ceramic vessel by Claude Conover (American 1907-1994) titled "Chrapas". Signed on underside. Insert included.
Stoneware
Claude Conover "Arcella" Large Stoneware
By Claude Conover
Located in New York, NY
Claude Conover (American, 1907-1994) "Arcella" large stoneware pottery. Signed underside.
Pottery
23” Claude Conover "Okot" Pottery Vassel
By Claude Conover
Located in Water Mill, NY
Claude Conover 23" Mid-Century Modern large pottery vassel signed and titled "Okot" on base.
Pottery
Tamnel Vessel by Claude Conover, Stoneware, Mid-Century Modern, USA
By Claude Conover
Located in Dallas, TX
Discover the timeless elegance of the "Tamnel" vessel by Claude Conover, a notable American ceramist (1907-1994), renowned for his intricate craftsmanship. This large ceramic piece, ...
Stoneware
Claude Conover Ceramic Vessel Titled "Balakmul"
By Claude Conover
Located in Stamford, CT
A large ceramic vessel by Claude Conover (American 1907-1994) titled "Balakmul". Signed on underside.
Ceramic
Claude Conover 'Chuc' Vessel, Stoneware, Mid-Century Modern, 1960s
By Claude Conover
Located in Dallas, TX
A large ceramic vessel by Claude Conover (American 1907-1994) titled "Chuc". Signed on underside.
Stoneware
Claude Conover Ceramic Stoneware Vessel Signed "Comitan" Inscribed Decorations
By Claude Conover
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
SALE ONE WEEK ONLY "Comitan" is a stoneware vessel, 1980s, with a handsome elongated neck and full-body. The surface has a rich warm patina with cryptic scratches, stripes and hatchings marking the body. This gorgeous piece is a perfect example of Conover's best work. Claude Conover was a ceramic sculpture artist described as falling within the styles of American, Modern and Contemporary Design. In 1983 he won The Cleveland Arts Prize competition in the visual arts for his bold and unique ceramic pieces that reflect strength of form and endurance unusual in the field. Using his own clay stoneware and mostly monochromatic colors, Conover decorated the surfaces with cryptic scratches, stripes and hatchings. Although decorative in intent, the indecipherable incised lines on his ceramics suggest some prehistoric unreadable script. The resultant works evoke a timeless monumentality reminiscent of ancient vessels whose utilitarian purpose is now lost to us. Within this limited repertoire, he produced beautiful, eternal works of art. Although Conover’s large impressive pots are his best work, he also made other forms, such as bowls, lamps, and ceramic animal sculpture. Conover was born in Pittsburgh and educated at the Cleveland Institute of Art, where a number of prominent artists also attended: Brian Michael Bendis, Marc...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Mid Century Modern XL Ceramic Vase by Jasba West Germany 1970s
By Jasba Keramik
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a gorous Minimalist ceramic vase by Jasba Keramik. It features a distinctive all-white glaze with a raised, geometric "op art" (optical art) oval patter...
Ceramic
Vintage Ceramic Vase, Italy, Mid-Century Modern, Signed, 1974, 27cm
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Vintage ceramic vase made in Italy in the 1974. Mid-century vase has an original signature. The ceramic vase is in very good vintage condition, with no damage. Dimensions: Width: 1...
Ceramic
American Mid century Modern California Pottery Ceramic Vase
By Robert Maxwell and David Cressey
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful stoneware ceramic vase by creative decorative co inc, made in Japan. Signed noi chips or cracks. Beautiful piece that is timeless and unique.
Pottery
$1,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 7 in Dm 9 in
Large MCM Studio Pottery Lidded Stoneware Vessel by Joel Edwards
By Peter Voulkos, Joel Edwards
Located in San Diego, CA
Large MCM studio pottery lidded stoneware vessel by Joel Edwards, circa 1960s. The incised piece is in very good condition with no chips or cracks and measur...
Stoneware
Wallåkra, Mid-Century Stoneware Vase, Sweden, 1960s
By Wallåkra
Located in New York, NY
A sizeable mid-century stoneware vase. Impressed: WALLAKRA.
Stoneware
Bruno Gambone Stoneware or Ceramic Vase, Italy, 1970s
By Bruno Gambone
Located in New York, NY
Bruno Gambone tall stoneware or ceramic vase or bottle in dark brown and matte off-white glaze with incised line around upper area below the bottle neck, Italy, 1970s. Marked with gl...
Ceramic, Stoneware
23” Claude Conover "Okot" Pottery Vassel
By Claude Conover
Located in Water Mill, NY
Claude Conover 23" Mid-Century Modern large pottery vassel signed and titled "Okot" on base.
Pottery
Large Organic Sculptural Ceramic Pottery Vessel
Located in San Diego, CA
Fantastic Post Modern Studio Pottery Vase Vessel. Acquired vessel from an incredible artist estate in Palm Springs, Vase is in excellent vintage condition and believed to be early 1...
Ceramic, Pottery
Vintage Blue Ceramic Vase by Bassano, Italy, Mid-Century Modern, 1970s
By Bassano
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
The vintage ceramic vase from Bassano is made in Chinese antique technique. Made in Italy in the 1970s. Bassano ceramics (also known as "Bassano del Grappa") is a traditional Italian...
Ceramic
Mid-Century Modern Studio Ceramic Vase
Located in Dallas, TX
Great detail in this signed ceramic vase with a glazed white ceramic and detailed with cut and formed ceramic ornamentation around upper portion. Well executed.
Ceramic
French 19th Century Large Stoneware Confit Pot
Located in Carmine, TX
A charming French Provincial stoneware confit pot with a creamy white glazed finish, rounded form, wide rolled rim, and distinctive applied side handles. The subtle horizontal ribbin...
Stoneware
$2,733
H 5.71 in W 7.88 in D 7.88 in
Ceramic Vessel by Waistel Cooper, Hand-Crafted, Mid-Century Modern, UK
By Waistel Cooper
Located in London, GB
Ceramic vessel by British potter Waistel Cooper (1921 - 2003). Second half twentieth century. Glazed inside and out in a combination of natural tones. Signed "Waistel" to the base...
Ceramic
Claude Conover "Ulel" Stoneware or Ceramic Vessel or Vase
By Claude Conover
Located in New York, NY
Claude Conover exquisite large glazed stoneware or ceramic vessel titled "Ulel." This stoneware vase is glazed in gray and white and finely decorated with Conover's signature pattern...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Claude Conover "Tikal" Stoneware or Ceramic Vessel
By Claude Conover
Located in New York, NY
Claude Conover beautiful large ceramic vessel titled "TIKAL". This stoneware vase is glazed and finely decorated with Conover's signature patterns. At once classic and contemporary i...
Ceramic, Pottery
Rare Claude Conover Sculpture of Girl with Ponytail
By Claude Conover
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rare Claude Conover Sculpture of Girl with Ponytail. Glazed stoneware with clay slip. Signed Claude Conover on base. Claude Conover (1907 - 1994, American) mixed his own stoneware...
Stoneware
Claude Conover "Chupicuaro" Vessel
By Claude Conover
Located in Dallas, TX
A large ceramic vessel by Claude Conover (American 1907-1994) titled "Chupicuaro". Signed on underside. Insert included.
Stoneware
Claude Conover "Chub" Vessel
By Claude Conover
Located in Dallas, TX
Elevate your space with this exquisite piece of mid-century artistry, the "Chub" vessel by renowned American ceramicist Claude Conover (1907-1994). A true testament to Conover's mast...
Stoneware
Claude Conover "Ahtzib" Stoneware Vessel
By Claude Conover
Located in Oxnard, CA
Here is a large stoneware vase by American artist, Claude Conover (1907 - 1994). It measures approximately 18" tall, 14" in diameter and is in very good condition. Signed and titled ...
Stoneware
Claude Conover Maach Floor Pot
By Claude Conover
Located in Marietta, GA
Striking piece of Midcentury modern pottery, by Claude Conover. Harder to find floor pot, signed / named Maach. #521. Large size, W 12.5” D opening. This pie...
Clay
Claude Conover Ceramic Vessel Signed Tupaca
By Claude Conover
Located in Chicago, IL
Claude Conover large pillow form ceramic vessel. This stoneware vase is glazed in two different tones and finely decorated with Conover's signature one iconic markings. Classic and contemporary in form, this bold and unique ceramic vessel has surface decorations with incised geometrical and linear designs. Signed on underside. Conover was very inspired and influenced by pre-Columbian sculpture...
Ceramic
Stoneware of Claude Conover Rare Catalog
By Claude Conover
Located in San Diego, CA
The Stoneware of Claude Conover softcover catalog. Hard to find 16 page catalog with photos, list of awards, collections and exhibitions.
Paper
Claude Conover Ceramic Stoneware Vessel Suus
By Claude Conover
Located in Chicago, IL
Claude Conover large ceramic vessel titled Suus. This stoneware vase is glazed in two different tones and finely decorated with Conover's signature and iconic markings. Classic and contemporary in form, this bold and unique ceramic vessel has surface decorations with incised geometrical and linear designs. Signed on underside. Conover was very inspired and influenced by pre-Columbian sculpture...
Ceramic
Claude Conover "Yocab"
By Claude Conover
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
The Vase exhibits a charcoal colored background with engobe decoration incised concentric bands. Signed and Titled.
Stoneware
Claude Conover Ceramic Stoneware Vessel Okkintok
By Claude Conover
Located in Chicago, IL
Claude Conover large ceramic vessel titled Okkintok. This stoneware vase is glazed in two different tones and finely decorated with Conover's signature one iconic markings. Classic and contemporary in form, this bold and unique ceramic vessel has surface decorations with incised geometrical and linear designs. Signed on underside. Conover was very inspired and influenced by pre-Columbian...
Ceramic