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
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
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
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
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
$305
H 8.86 in Dm 3.35 in
Large Stoneware Vase, Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand, Brown Rubus, Mid-Century Modern
By Gunnar Nylund, Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A stoneware vase in the Rubus-serie designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand, it is 22.5 cm (9") high. It is in mint condition but marked as 2nd quality. Gunnar Nylund was born in ...
Stoneware
Mid-Century Modern Light Blue Ceramic Vase with White Stripes, 1960s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Beautiful and vivid light blue vintage Mid-Century Modern vase from the 1960s. Distinct slim and precise white stripes on light blue base with glazed interior in black and green arou...
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
$1,427
H 7.09 in W 6.5 in D 6.5 in
Bitossi Aldo Londi Rimini Blue Glazed Ceramic Vase, Mid-Century Modern, 1960s
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Barcelona, ES
'Rimini blu' glazed ceramic vase designed by Aldo Londi for by Bitossi. Italy, 1960s. This eye-catching vase is made of blue glazed ceramic with engraved patterns surrounding the cen...
Ceramic, Pottery, Terracotta
$999Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 12.21 in Dm 3.94 in
Mid-Century Modern Set of 4 Ceramic Vases Upsala-Ekeby "Fiamma" Sweden, 1960s
By Ingrid Atterberg, Upsala Ekeby
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
Ingrid Atterberg is the creator of these vases produced in Sweden at Upsala Ekeby in the 1960s. Wonderful sculptured with a nice glaze. Good condition. Dimensions. The large H...
Ceramic
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
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
$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
Vintage Japanese Minimalist Stoneware Vessel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Petite ceramic stoneware vessel from Japan, 1960s. Minimalist vessel with soft cream glaze with warm speckling throughout. Perfect as a bud vase or decorative object.
Ceramic
$493Sale Price / item|40% Off
H 20.87 in Dm 5.12 in
Vessel 05 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...
Ceramic, Clay
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
$8,500
H 6 in W 11 in D 11 in
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 "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 "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".
Claude Conover "Tatab" Vase
By Claude Conover
Located in Dallas, TX
An exceptional ceramic vase by Claude Conover titled "Tatab".
Claude Conover "ILKIL" Vase
By Claude Conover
Located in Dallas, TX
A large ceramic vase by Claude Conover titled "ILKIL".