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, 1968
By Claude Conover
Located in New York, NY
Claude Conover vase, ceramic, signed. Large hand built stoneware vase decorating with hatching and scratching patterns. An incised line divides the two patterns. These decorative ele...
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
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
$12,796Sale Price|32% Off
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
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
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
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
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
French Cut Glass Vase, Hand-Crafted, Mid-Century Modern, 20th Century
Located in Miami, FL
A fine French cut glass vase, showcasing elegant craftsmanship and timeless style. This piece reflects the tradition of French art glass from the earl...
Glass, Cut Glass
Large Ceramic Pot
Located in Dallas, TX
Ceramic
Wallåkra, Mid-Century Stoneware Vase, Sweden, 1960s
By Wallåkra
Located in New York, NY
A sizeable mid-century stoneware vase. Impressed: WALLAKRA.
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
$144
H 4.34 in W 2.96 in D 2.49 in
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Floral Vase, Hand-Crafted Ceramic, 1960s
By Rörstrand, Arzberg, Kaiser, Kerafina Royal Porzellan KPM, Bay Keramik
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Vintage modernist romantic vase with decorative flowers on both sides. Europe, 1960s
Ceramic, Earthenware
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
Large 1970s Signed Mid-Century Modern Studio Pottery Ceramic Vase
Located in Miami, FL
Large signed Mid-Century Modern studio pottery italian style ceramic vase. Signed and date by the artist, BF 77. Features a brutalist inspired design with hand-painted floral motiv...
Ceramic
Mid-Century Modern Hand-Painted Ceramic Vase by Roberto Rigon, Italy
By Roberto Rigon
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Stunning hand painted ceramic by Roberto Rigon 1970. Probably made for olive oil or vinegar to use on the Italians dinner tables of the period.
Ceramic
Mado Jolain Ceramic Vase, Mid-Century Modern, France, 1950s, Signed
By Mado Jolain
Located in San Diego, CA
Ceramic vase by Mado Jolain. Incised signature under the base Signed. France, 1950s Mado Jolain was born in Paris in 1921. During the German Occupation of France in World War II, sh...
Ceramic
Pair of Large Stoneware Pots
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These 19th-century German stoneware pots are characterized by their robust forms and rich, dark brown semi-matte glaze. Each pot is fitted with petite ca...
Stoneware
Mid-Century Modern Ceramic Vase, Bitossi
By Bitossi
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful ceramic vase, attributed to the Italian maker Bitossi. The vase is not marked. The blue color, shape and structure are characteristic of Bistossi. The vase is in good co...
Ceramic
$551Sale Price / item|40% Off
H 14.97 in W 10.24 in D 9.45 in
Vessel 07 in Smooth Stoneware Clay. Handmade by Jade Paton for Lemon
By Lemon
Located in Amsterdam, NL
For the La Terra collection, Lemon collaborated with renowned artist Jade Paton. Jade creates contemporary sculptures out of clay. Her main source of inspir...
Clay, Ceramic
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 'Hpan' Vessel
By Claude Conover
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful 'Hpan' vessel by Claude Conover, no. 2167, glazed stoneware with engobe decoration, signed 'Claude Conover' and titled on underside, 1979. This work is accompanied by a cop...
Stoneware
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
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 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
Claude Conover "OLMA" Vase, Circa 1968
By Claude Conover
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Claude Conover ceramic "OLMA" vase. Circa 1968.
Ceramic
Claude Conover Vase, USA, 1970s
By Claude Conover
Located in Berlin, DE
Claude Conover vase USA, 1970s Signed and in excellent condition.
Ceramic
Claude Conover Pillow Vessel / Vase, circa 1969
By Claude Conover
Located in Southampton, NJ
An early example from Claude Conover. This vessel with an oblate non symmetrical pillow shape and Conover's signature texture. Signed to the bottom. Newspapers from the Cleveland press...
Ceramic
Claude Conover Vase
By Claude Conover
Located in Dallas, TX
A large ceramic vase by Claude Conover.
Ceramic
Claude Conover Vase with Liner Titled Cerros
By Claude Conover
Located in Stamford, CT
A stoneware horizontal Ovid form / square when looking from above with smooth incised lines applied to two corners.
Stoneware