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.
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
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
$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
$2,281
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
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
$1,926Sale 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
Blue and White Floral Pottery Covered Pil and Cover, Vera Pottery
Located in Downingtown, PA
Blue and white floral pottery covered pil and cover, Vera pottery, circa 1900-1930. The cylindrical pail with exterior knob handles has a reeded lowe...
Pottery
Collection of Royal Haeger "Earth Wrap" Pottery
By Royal Haeger
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A collection of 1970's pottery by Royal Haeger from the "Earth Wrap" line. Gold and burnt orange lava glaze on a matte brown ground. Ten pieces available, s...
Pottery
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
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 "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 "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.