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USA, 1900
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Claude Conover

Claude Conover is known for his exploration of a single form, the bottle/vase. The pieces are large scale up to 19 inches tall and characterized by short cylindrical neck and mouth approximately centered on the vessel?s shoulder. Each piece also has a plastic liner. The pieces are coil and slab- built using stoneware and are typically variations on classical forms. The monochromatic surfaces are usually left unglazed and are finished with saw blade scratched or stamped motifs or covered with linear and geometric designs created using a sgraffito technique. Often the sgraffito is so pronounced that it creates an overall textured surface. Conover also made functional wares, bowls, lamps, and animal sculptures.

Conover?s early study of sculpture and painting led to work as a commercial designer for 30 years until in the 1960s at age 55 he began to work with clay. This early design study is evident in Conover?s intricately designed surface treatment.

Conover in other collections

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These records have been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced.

Last updated: April 22, 2026

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