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.
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
Claude Conover "Chrapas" Vessel
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 "Tamnel" Vessel
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 Vase, Ceramic, Signed "Hopci"
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
Claude Conover Vase, "Toluca", Ceramic, Signed
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
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
$19,500
Claude Conover "Chuc" Vessel
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
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
Sculptural Vessel by Sara Radstone
By Sara Radstone
Located in New York, NY
Asymmetrical sculptural stoneware vessel with rough and uneven surface and incised blue geometric symbols Hand-built by Sara Radstone Great Britain...
Stoneware
Maria Vessel, Handmade in Portugal
By Project 213A
Located in Macieira de Sarnes, PT
Maria Vessel in Midnight Blue Designed by Project 213A in 2020 Handmade Stoneware This vase is inspired by the Greco-Roman period, having a timeless appearance and finished with a contemporary textured shiny glaze. Each piece develops its own distinctive character with shades of black as it goes through the firing process. No two pieces will look alike...
Stoneware
Maria Vessel, Handmade in Portugal
By Project 213A
Located in Macieira de Sarnes, PT
Maria Vessel in Brick Designed by Project 213A in 2020 Handmade Stoneware This vase is inspired by the Greco-Roman period, having a timeless appearance and finished with a contempor...
Stoneware
$3,375Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 15.16 in Dm 12.21 in
Pair of Spanish Water Jars or Vessels in Unglazed Terracotta
Located in Barcelona, ES
Handmade terracotta two-handled water jars / pitchers, Spain, 1880s-1930s. Two Traditional Spanish terracotta pitchers. Unglazed exterior and interio...
Ceramic, Terracotta, Earthenware
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
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
Spanish Terracotta Olive Jar or Vessel
Located in Barcelona, ES
Spanish Andalusian Olive Oil Handled Jar in Terracotta _______________________________________________________________________ Hand-made terracotta preserving pot or jar with handles...
Ceramic, Terracotta, Earthenware
Pair of Spanish Terracotta Olive Jars or Vessels
Located in Barcelona, ES
Handmade terracotta Olive oil vessels or jars from Andalusia, Spain, 1930s Two Traditional Spanish terracotta jar "orza or botija" from Triana,...
Terracotta, Earthenware, Pottery
$2,884Sale Price|20% Off
H 18.12 in W 14.97 in D 12.21 in
Spanish Large Terracotta Water Jar / Pitcher / Vessel
Located in Barcelona, ES
Andalusian Hand-made terracotta two-handled water jar, Spain, 1880s-1930s. Traditional spanish terracotta jar / pitcher. Unglazed exterior and interior with handles at both sides. Us...
Ceramic, Earthenware, Terracotta
Ceramic vase signed Dieulefit
By Dieulefit
Located in grand Lancy, CH
Ceramic decorative vase signed Dieulefit
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
$1,085
H 5.12 in Dm 5.91 in
Vintage Glazed Signed European Art Studio Stoneware Pottery Vase or Vessel
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Beautiful brown salt glazed studio pottery vase or vessel. The piece is signed by the artist but we have not yet been able to identify them. Most cer...
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 '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