Roger Capron is best known for his geometrically complex, vibrantly colored tile-topped coffee tables. These mid-century furnishings, with their comely palettes and playful arrangements of abstract forms or natural-world motifs, are approachable yet sophisticated. They draw on Scandinavian modernism and exemplify the Parisian ceramist’s belief in ensuring that things of beauty are easily and widely accessible, a principle espoused by French decorative artist and designer René Gabriel.
Capron graduated in 1943 from the School of Applied Arts in Paris. In a small atelier he later founded with Robert Picault and Jean Derval in Vallauris, Capron made alluring sculptures, table lamps and other objects and found inspiration in the work of Pablo Picasso, who had also opened an atelier in the region. He parted ways with his fellow ceramists in 1952 in order to open his own manufactory, Atelier Capron.
Initially staffed by a handful of workers, Atelier Capron captured international attention. His pieces were sold in stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Gimbels. Later, Capron’s wife, Jacotte, studied art and became a valued collaborator. Owing in part to her expertise in mixing pigments and glazes, Capron’s best-known ceramics feature dazzling colors and whimsical characters. Like Picasso, he experimented with many artistic styles and never settled on one technique for too long. His coffee tables, side tables and decorative objects are among the most enduring and coveted designs of the mid-century modern era.
While Capron’s factory had grown tenfold by 1980, it shut down a few years later after a slew of competitors began mass-producing cheaper imitations.
Capron won an award at the Milan Triennial in 1954 and International Grand Prize for Ceramics in 1970. His works have been displayed in the Musée National de la Céramique and the Musée Magnelli.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Roger Capron ceramics, tables and other decorative objects and furniture.
$2,400Sale Price|20% Off
Large 20th Century Ceramic Vase w/ Flowers, French Artist
By Roger Capron
Located in Beachwood, OH
Roger Capron (French, 1922-2006) Vase Ceramic Signed on bottom 15.75 x 6 inches French ceramist Roger Capron was born in Vincennes in 1922. He studied at Paris’s School of Applied A...
Ceramic
Decorative Pottery
Located in San Diego, CA
Decorative pottery, mimicking barnacles. Surface has a nice texture and color.
Clay
CHAMELEON
Located in Dallas, TX
Oscar Pacheco Oaxaca, Mexico Support: 21 1/2 x 19 in, Image: 17 x 15 in Technique: Coyotepec Black Clay on Glass
Clay, Glass
$425
H 7.5 in W 6.5 in D 4 in
Scarab, signed Raku heart by artist Chris Reilly. Iridescent blue, grey, tan
By Christopher Reilly
Located in San Diego, CA
Scarab, not dated and signed Raku heart by artist Chris Reilly. Iridescent blue, grey, tan Approximate dimensions: 7.5” H x 6.5” W x 4” D
Ceramic
$350
H 8 in Dm 10 in
Earthenware Pottery Vessel with Animal Skin from Tarahumara (Northern Mexico)
Located in Chesterfield, MI
This Earthenware Vessel is believed to be Tarahumara (from Northern Mexico). The artist and date of creation is unknown. Dried animal hide (possibly deer skin) is wrapped around the ...
Earthenware
$2,980
H 12.6 in Dm 9.45 in
Raoul Lachenal Large Crackle Glaze Egyptian Blue French Baluster Ceramic Vase
Located in Clermont-Ferrand, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
This beautiful baluster-shaped vase features the vivid hypnotic Egyptian blue (which some call "turquoise", although it's not) Raoul Lachenal is most renowned for. Drop-shaped white...
Ceramic
Serie: Serpentinata Tremenda
By Pablo Vigil
Located in Cuernavaca, Morelos
Glazed ceramic sculpture Emerging artist. He develops his work in an encrypted, symbolic and baroque language; everything seems to come from inner worlds that implode and explode in ...
Enamel
$2,980
H 12.6 in Dm 9.45 in
Raoul Lachenal Large Crackle Glaze Egyptian Blue French Baluster Ceramic Vase
Located in Clermont-Ferrand, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
This beautiful baluster-shaped vase features the vivid hypnotic Egyptian blue (which some call "turquoise", although it's not) Raoul Lachenal is most renowned for. Drop-shaped white...
Ceramic
$375
H 9.5 in W 8.5 in D 3 in
Owl Queen, raku by Chris Reilly. Teal, red, brown
By Christopher Reilly
Located in San Diego, CA
Owl Queen by artist Chris Reilly 9.5” H x 8.5” W x 3” D Owl Queen, raku heart featuring an owl looking forward. The artist expresses a profound connection to nature in his art. And...
Ceramic
Fig Vase
Located in La Canada Flintridge, CA
Moorcroft is made entirely by hand in England for collectors throughout the world. Every piece of Moorcroft has marks on the base which will tell a story. They identify the designer...
Ceramic
$575
H 2.5 in W 6.5 in D 6 in
Onyx Sculptural Marbled Ceramic Bowl, Black and White Porcelain Stoneware
By Element Clay Studio
Located in Savannah, GA
“Onyx” is a one-of-a-kind sculptural vessel from Heather Knight’s Coeur Collection, created in her Savannah-based Element Clay Studio (est. 2007). Bold and expressive, this hand-bui...
Ceramic, Porcelain, Stoneware
Serie: Serpentinata Tremenda
By Pablo Vigil
Located in Cuernavaca, Morelos
Glazed ceramic sculpture Emerging artist. He develops his work in an encrypted, symbolic and baroque language; everything seems to come from inner worlds that implode and explode in ...
Enamel
$500
H 3.5 in W 3.5 in D 5 in
American studio pottery by Bauhaus trained artist Marguerite Wildenhain
By Marguerite Wildenhain 1
Located in Colfax, CA
A classic form Bauhaus inspired studio pottery pitcher by Marguerite Wildenhain. Wildenhain was trained at the German Bauhaus, before moving to the United States with her fellow arti...
Earthenware
Vase
By Roger Capron
Located in PARIS, FR
Sublime glazed ceramic vase by Roger Capron, measuring 21 x 12.5 cm. Signed
Ceramic
Vase à oreilles
By Roger Capron
Located in PARIS, FR
Sublime ear vase by Roger Capron. Tanniferous earthenware, blue kerosene decoration in reserve, measuring 26 x 25 x 22 cm. Signed “Capron Vallauris”.
Earthenware