The Archives

The Claude Conover Archives are the prime repository of the meticulous records that Conover maintained of his artistic production (approximately 4,000 pieces) during the second half of his life, between 1958 – 1990. Between 1969 – 1990, he created a production inventory card for each piece he produced. These inventory cards included the piece’s name, production number, dimensions, notes regarding surface patterns and glazes, along with the purchaser’s name. Onto the back of each inventory card, the artist also attached a Polaroid photograph, usually taken in his home. It is estimated that 90% of his production is recorded in this manner.

Pieces produced before 1969 were also catalogued in his inventory file, but only photographed and filed by year of production. Most of these early pieces were sold through art shows and exhibitions, or sold directly to collectors. They were generally not named. Some had numerical identifiers, e.g., 2-9, or simple names, such as Stoneware Bottle # 3. The disposition of many of these early pieces is not known.

Along with his production inventory files, Conover compiled scrapbooks of every competition, show, and exhibit in which his work was included, as well as reviews from these events and copies of publications in which Conover stoneware was featured. These records capture in detail the ‘second act’ of Conover’s life as an artist.

These remarkable records of Conover’s prodigious artistic productivity are being utilized by the Claude Conover Archives to help collectors, museums, and auction houses authenticate the works of this significant 20th century American ceramic artist.