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 "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
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 '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
$325
H 15.75 in Dm 8.27 in
Large Carstens 1960s Mid-Century Modern West German Ceramic Pottery Vase Bamboo
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Large ceramic vase made in Germany by Cartens in the 1960s with a very beautiful Bamboo design. Carstens only produced copies in limited amounts of each design. Stamped underneath ...
Ceramic, 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
Contemporary Italian Fruit Bowl, Ceramic Vase with Fruit Motifs
Located in Madrid, ES
Vase made by hand in glazed ceramic with traditional motifs from southern Italy. Every item LA Studio offers is checked by our team of 10 craftsmen in our in-house workshop. Special...
Ceramic
Small Original Art Deco Ceramic Vase by Keith Murray, C.1930
By Keith Murray
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Lovely shaped cream ceramic vase made by Wedgwood. Designed by Keith Murray Makers marks and facsimile signature on base Tiny imperfection to the rim( shown in the images ) Fre...
Pottery
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
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
$1,597
H 6.89 in W 3.94 in D 3.94 in
Majolica Ceramic Radish Wall Salt Container, Vase & Pink Onion Salt Shaker
Located in Barcelona, ES
Set of glazed ceramic radish salt wall container, vase & pink onion salt shaker Beautiful set of Majolica ceramic radishes wall salt container and vase ...
Ceramic, Majolica
$4,850
H 37.75 in W 14.5 in D 11 in
Large Italian Majolica Ceramic Vegetable Tower or Topiary Centerpiece
By Este Ceramiche
Located in Austin, TX
A fine Majolica vegetable tower or topiary, attributable to the ceramic artisans of Este, Italy, featuring a naturalistic relief of vegetables upon...
Ceramic, Majolica, Earthenware, Pottery
Michael Andersen, Vase, Stoneware, Bornholm, Denmark, 1960s
By Michael Andersen & Son
Located in High Point, NC
A glazed stoneware vase produced by Michael Andersen Keramik. Maker's mark on the underside of the piece. Overall Dimensions (inches): 6"H x 4.5"W x 3.75" All items ship from High...
Stoneware
Italian Mid-Century Modern Glazed Ceramic Vase by Bitossi, Red, 1960s
By Bitossi
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Italian Mid-Century Modern Glaze ceramic red vase by Bitossi 1960s. Stamp on the bottom made in Italy, original ceramic in typical Bitossi red colour.
Ceramic
Contemporary Italian Ceramic Vase with Fruit Motifs
Located in Ibiza, Spain
The "Brilli D" pendant lamp, designed by Jacopo Foggini, represents contemporary artistry at its finest. Handcrafted in Italy from cast methacrylate, it features stunning shades of g...
Ceramic
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".