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
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
Mid-Century Modern Large Stoneware Vessel by Don Atkins, 23\" Tall
By Claude Conover
Located in Dallas, TX
Embodying the essence of mid-century modern design, this stunning large stoneware vessel by Don Atkins is reminiscent of Claude Conover. The vessel features...
Stoneware
Clyde Burt Ceramic Vessel or Vase
By Clyde Burt
Located in Dallas, TX
Born in Melrose, Ohio in 1922, Clyde Burt would go on to become a major voice in American studio ceramics. He studied at Fort Wayne Art School and later at the Cape Cod School of Art before landing at the Cranbrook Academy of Art to study under Maija Grotell. While Grotell is responsible for bringing the wheel to Cranbrook, Burt made it central to his practice and his thrown works express the same endless curiosity as his teacher. Upon returning to Ohio, Burt built a home studio on his family’s farmland near the Little Auglaize River and harvested rich clay from the surrounding area. He started every day at 5:30 in the morning and would work until he knew he “had enough”. Constantly experimenting with glazes, colors and surface decoration, Burt painstakingly recorded his successes and failures in a small notebook...
Ceramic
Clyde Burt Mid-Century Ceramic Vase with Lid, 1960s North America
By Clyde Burt
Located in Dallas, TX
Born in Melrose, Ohio in 1922, Clyde Burt would go on to become a major voice in American studio ceramics. He studied at Fort Wayne Art School and later at the Cape Cod School...
Ceramic
Antonio Prieto Ceramic Vase, Bulbous Shape, Mid-Century Modern
By Antonio Prieto
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautiful vase by Antonio Preto. In a bulbous shape with an incised linear pattern. Piece is signed.
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
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 "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
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
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
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
