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.
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
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
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
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
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
$329
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
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
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
$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
$950
H 11 in Dm 14 in
Pair of Early 20th Century White Ceramic Chinese Vases Antique Decorative Pieces
Located in IT
This elegant pair of white ceramic Chinese vases, dating back to the early 20th century, embodies timeless craftsmanship and classic design. Their smooth white finish and simple yet ...
Ceramic
$1,080
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
Large Original Art Deco Ceramic Vase by Keith Murray, C.1930
By Keith Murray
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Lovely shaped grey ceramic vase made by Wedgwood. Designed by Keith Murray Makers marks and facsimile signature on base 2 tiny hairline cracks to the rim.( shown in the images ) ...
Pottery
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
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 "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 Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful glazed stoneware signed and titled to underside by Claude Conover, Cleveland, Ohio, 1960s.
Ceramic
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".