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.
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
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
$683
H 7.68 in W 3.65 in D 3.55 in
A G Sangwell Martin Brothers Pottery Grotesque Dragons Tribute Art Pottery Vase
By Martin Brothers
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An unusual and rare Martin Brothers tribute vase by A G Sangwell, but recorded by the collector as A E Sangwell the owner of a hardware shop at 25 Featherstone Road (confirmed throug...
Pottery
Mid-20th Century Hand-Thrown Studio Pottery Vessel, Citron Glaze, USA
Located in Wainscott, NY
Mid-20th Century Studio Pottery Vessel in Citron Hand-thrown studio pottery vessel, mid-20th century, finished in a luminous citron glaze with subtle tonal variation and fine speckl...
Clay
Wallåkra, Mid-Century Stoneware Vase, Sweden, 1960s
By Wallåkra
Located in New York, NY
A sizeable mid-century stoneware vase. Impressed: WALLAKRA.
Stoneware
$2,273
H 16.93 in W 14.57 in D 14.57 in
Spanish Terracotta Olive Jar or Vessel, Hand-Crafted, Country Style
Located in Barcelona, ES
Spanish Andalusian Olive Oil Handled Jar in Terracotta _______________________________________________________________________ Hand-made terracotta preserving pot or jar with handles...
Ceramic, Terracotta, Earthenware
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
Turquoise Blue Pottery Vase
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful Modern turquoise blue Amphora pottery vase, circa early-20th century, USA. Very good condition as shown in images. No chips noted. Dimension...
Clay
$630 / item
H 11.82 in Dm 2.96 in
Modern Mexican Rustic Clay Vessel Bottle Pottery Made in Oaxaca Stripes Folk Art
By Omar Hernández
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
This natural color ceramic piece is a faithful copy of an old blown glass bottle, used as a container for wine, mezcal or schnapps. Omar designs this piece highlighting its imperfect...
Pottery, Clay
$524Sale 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
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
$1,919Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 12.6 in W 13 in D 10.63 in
Set of Two Spanish Terracotta Olive Jars or Vessels
Located in Barcelona, ES
Handmade terracotta preserving pot or jar with handles from Segovia, Spain, 1930s Two traditional Spanish ceramic 'orza'. Unglazed exterior with handles at both sides and green and ...
Ceramic, Terracotta, Earthenware
$908
H 10.24 in W 3.15 in D 2.76 in
Vintage Czechoslovakian Organic Ceramic White Pottery Vase by Jiří Dudycha
By Jiří Dudycha
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Signed vintage white ceramic studio pottery vase by Czech artist Jiří Dudycha, circa 1985-1999. Beautiful organic form, almost flower like, bulbous shaped top with gold plated / gilt...
Ceramic, Clay
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
Sheier Pottery ; Two Pieces
By Edwin Scheier
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Edwin and Mary Scheier vase with pinched top in nice mottled neutral tone glaze , signed to underside .Also a Mary Scheier 1980's decorated jug . Priced for the 2 pieces . Measuremen...
$650 / item
H 11.82 in Dm 2.96 in
Mexican Demijohn Rustic Clay Mezcal Vessel Bottle Pottery Oaxaca Folk Art
By Omar Hernández
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
This rustic mezcal bottle is a replica of an antique bottle or demijohn which was used to store mezcal, drunken during folk theaters in Oaxaca, Mexico. The bottle is done with cerami...
Pottery, Clay
Moorcroft Pottery Big Poppy Vase
By Moorcroft Pottery
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A large Moorcroft Pottery big poppy vase. Walter Moorcroft era. The base bears impressed marks and a blue glaze script Walter Moorcroft signature. ...
Pottery
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
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 "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 "Blueb" Ceramic Vessel
By Claude Conover
Located in New York, NY
Claude Conover large ceramic vessel titled "Blueb". This stoneware vase is glazed in two different tones and finely decorated with Conover's signature patterns. At once classic and c...
Ceramic, Pottery
Claude Conover Vase
By Claude Conover
Located in Dallas, TX
A large ceramic vase by Claude Conover.
Ceramic
Claude Conover "Baach" Vase
By Claude Conover
Located in Dallas, TX
A large ceramic vase titled "Baach" by Claude Conover.
Ceramic
Claude Conover "Beeb" Vase
By Claude Conover
Located in Dallas, TX
A large ceramic vase titled "Beeb" by Claude Conover.
Ceramic
Claude Conover "Hohah" Vase
By Claude Conover
Located in Dallas, TX
A large ceramic vase by Claude Conover "Hohah".
Ceramic
Claude Conover Stoneware Vessel Titled "Uxue"
By Claude Conover
Located in Stamford, CT
A large stoneware vessel by Claude Conover (American 1907-1994) titled "Uxue". Signed on underside.
Pottery
Claude Conover Vase Titled "TZIN"
By Claude Conover
Located in Stamford, CT
A Calude Conover (1907-1995) vase titled "TZIN" with matte cream slips and impressed transected circles over entire rounded body. Signed.
Pottery
Claude Conover "OLMA" Vase
By Claude Conover
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Claude Conover pillow vase titled "OLMA".
Ceramic
Claude Conover "Tulum" Vase
By Claude Conover
Located in Dallas, TX
A large ceramic vase by Claude Conover titled "Tulum".
Claude Conover "Calakmul" Vase
By Claude Conover
Located in Dallas, TX
A ceramic pillow form vase by Claude Conover titled "Calakmul".