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 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 "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
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
French Green Glazed Terracotta Pottery
Located in Winter Park, FL
A French earthenware confit pot with traditional green glaze. These ordinary earthenware vessels were once used daily in the French country home and have beautiful rustic glazes of g...
Terracotta
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
$674
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
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
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
$324
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
$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
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
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
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
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
French Green Glazed Terracotta Pottery
Located in Winter Park, FL
A French earthenware confit pot with traditional green glaze and yellow interior. Old green painted repaired chips to rim. These ordinary earthenware vessels were once used daily in ...
Terracotta
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 "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 "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
Large Vessel by Claude Conover "Kalax"
By Claude Conover
Located in Stamford, CT
A signed and titled glazed stoneware vessel by Claude Conover decorated in engobe.
Claude Conover Vase "Kinchil"
By Claude Conover
Located in Dallas, TX
Claude Conover vase signed and titled "Kinchil", 1970s.
Claude Conover Vase "Xihul"
By Claude Conover
Located in Dallas, TX
Claude Conover vase signed and titled "Xihul", 1970s.
Claude Conover Bowl
By Claude Conover
Located in Chicago, IL
Conover vessel, glazed stoneware. This form is unusual for Conover, not many were made. Signed to the underside (CLAUDE CONOVER.)
Ceramic
Claude Conover Vase "Coa"
By Claude Conover
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Interesting formed Conover vase with unusual decoration.
Claude Conover Vase "Hunabgu"
By Claude Conover
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Tall and beautifully decorated Conover vase. Great graphic glazing and decoration. Signed to bottom.