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.
Bamboo Coffee Table with Ceramic Tiles designed by Audoux Minnet, France, 1950s
By Adrien Audoux and Frida Minnet, Roger Capron
Located in Antwerp, BE
Fantastic Boho rectangular coffee table in natural bamboo, designed by Adrien Audoux and Frida Minnet and Roger Capron designed the glazed tiles, mid-20th-century French design. The...
Ceramic, Bamboo
Set of Three Stoneware Door Handles, Roger Capron, Vallauris 1968
By Roger Capron
Located in St Ouen, FR
An exceptional set of three stamped stoneware door handles featuring the iconic stylized sun motif. They were created in 1968 by the artist as part of a large-scale interior design p...
Stoneware
Set of 2 Aluminum Palais Door Handles by Henry Wilson
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Aluminum Palais Door Handles by Henry Wilson Dimensions: W 13 x D 8 x H 2 cm Materials: Aluminum Palais lever handle in aluminium. Each handle i...
Aluminum
Midcentury Set of Garden Decoration Audoux Minet, 1950s
By Adrien Audoux and Frida Minnet
Located in Paris, IDF
A beautiful set of bamboo-made garden decoration from the 1950s, including a stool, a high barrel table, a magazine rack and a planter, which are all remain in great condition or quality. The bamboo-vintage solid furniture...
Fabric, Bamboo
Set of 3 Art Deco Glass Door Handles with Plates
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a gorgeous set of 3 Art Deco glass door handles with plates. Amazingly complete set! Probably made in the US circa 1925-30. These ar...
Chrome
French 1950s Wrought Iron Garden Table
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Painted wrought iron garden table with a cloverleaf-patterned top with a twisted iron surround and an elegant scrolled base.
Wrought Iron
$1,369Sale Price|40% Off
H 12.6 in W 41.93 in D 15.56 in
French Coffee Table with Glazed Ceramics in the st of Roger Capron, circa 1960
By Roger Capron
Located in Labrit, Landes
Coffee table with glazed faience and terracotta tiles top in the style of Roger Capron. The contrast between the glossy, shiny appearance of the tiles and the sobriety of the terraco...
Iron
Pair of Round Bronze Relief Door Handles with Oval Grip
Located in London, GB
Pair of sculptural round push and pull door handles with an articulated oval hole make a good grip. They are very decorative and give doors an outstanding character and are produced ...
Bronze
Pair of Brass Door Handles by William Tonks & Sons
Located in London, GB
A pair of Edwardian brass door handles by William Tonks & Sons of Birmingham. W T & S sun mark to back. William Tonks founded the firm in 1789. T...
Brass
One of a Kind Persian Tile Coffee Table
By Joseph Malekan
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Beautiful artistic coffee table made of hand-forged iron base, with set of eight old Persian tiles showing hunting scene, all surrounded with colorful hand work mosaic. The top is...
Steel
Large Lateral Push Pull Door Handle of Cast Bronze
Located in London, GB
A large lateral push-pull door handle of abstract Brutalist design. European, second half 20th century. A striking piece - made to span the full width of a door - formed from cast ...
Bronze
French 1950s Iron and Marble Coffee Table
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Elegant rectangular coffee table with a wrought iron base, with original red paint, and a Carrara marble top. Raised on cabriole legs, and elaborate curlicued base.
Carrara Marble, Wrought Iron
$7,500 / set
H 30.5 in W 60 in D 30.5 in
1960s Rattan Dining Table and Chairs Set by Audoux and Minet, France
By Adrien Audoux and Frida Minnet
Located in Stamford, CT
Spectacular 1960s Cote D'Azur signed oval ceramic top rattan table and four rattan chairs by Adrien Audoux and Frida Minet. Modern depiction of horses and grasses ceramic tiles signe...
Ceramic, Rattan, Wood
Mid-Century Circular Bamboo Coffee Table by Ficks Reed
By Ficks Reed
Located in New York, NY
Super chic bamboo coffee table by noted American maker, Ficks Reed, circa 1950's. The table features a columnar center post with rests on a disk form bamboo based base, and supports ...
Bamboo, Wood
French Vallauris Round Coffee Table with Ceramics Signed Roger Capron, 1960
By Roger Capron
Located in Labrit, Landes
Round coffee table with faience top signed Roger Capron and made in Vallauris. This table comes from the 'Garrigue' serie and has an elegant designed top that is equipped with organ...
Faience, Wood
Sold
H 14.18 in W 46.86 in D 18.9 in
French Vallauris Coffee Table with Ceramics Signed Roger Capron, 1960
By Roger Capron
Located in Labrit, Landes
Coffee table with faience top signed Roger Capron and made in Vallauris. This table comes from the 'Garrigue' serie and has an elegant designed top that is equipped with organic, flo...
Faience, Wood
Garrigue Series Coffee Table by Roger Capron, 1960s
By Roger Capron
Located in Pound Ridge, NY
Terracotta tile and iron base coffee table by Roger Capron, made in Vallauris, France. Terracotta tiles imprinted with leaves from French countryside before firing. Warm earth toned ...
Terracotta