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.
Unique Raku Decor on Pignate, Roger Capron, Vallauris 1997
By Roger Capron
Located in St Ouen, FR
Pignate designates a traditional tureen from the french riviera of which the town of Vallauris was the almost exclusive center of production. This magnificent and unusual creation t...
Terracotta
Large Roger Capron Decorative Vide Poche, Vallauris, France, 1950s
By Roger Capron
Located in Santa Gertrudis, Baleares
Roger Capron (1922-2006) decorative dish with bamboo handle Signed Capron, Vallauris, 1950s. Roger Capron was born in Vincennes, France on September 4, 1922. Interested in drawing, he studied Applied Arts in Paris from 1939 to 1943 and worked as an art teacher in 1945. He died on November 8, 2006 leaving behind a considerable body of work that is recognized worldwide. In 1946, Roger Capron moved to Vallauris, where he founded a ceramics workshop known as 'l`Atelier Callis', contributing to the renaissance of ceramics in Vallauris. In 1952, Roger Capron purchased an abandoned pottery in Vallauris and opened a small ceramics...
Ceramic
Vintage Italian Pencil Cane and Brass Planter / Basket in the Style of Crespi
By Roger Capron
Located in Vienna, AT
A sophisticated mid-century modern decorative basket or planter, handcrafted in Italy during the 1970s. This piece is a quintessential example of the Hollywood Regency era, closely f...
Brass
$1,992Sale Price|20% Off
Large Decorative Plate by Roger Capron '1950s'
By Roger Capron
Located in London, GB
A large decorative platter by artist Roger Capron (1922 - 2006) who founded the craft-based workshop in Vallauris, France, l'Atelier Callis, w...
Ceramic
Roger Capron Oval Vide Poche, Ceramic Bowl with Serpent Motif, 1950
By Roger Capron
Located in London, England
Roger Capron's ceramic cup or pocket, with a large oval shape, elegant and refined, highlights a magnificent sinuous snake motif, exceptional among the works of this contemporary art...
Ceramic
Decorative Dish by Roger Capron, Limoges Porcelain, 29.3 cm, 1992
By Roger Capron
Located in St Ouen, FR
Large frieze decoration depicting an interlacing of profiles executed freehand on Limoges biscuit. This unique piece is entirely representative of the artist's graphic virtuosity. Si...
Porcelain
Mid 20th Century Ceramic Toro Vide-Poche from Vallauris
By Roger Capron
Located in PARIS, FR
Rare vide-poche 'Toro' by French ceramist Roger Capron. Stamped by the artist's estate.
Ceramic
$3,800
Roger Capron Bowl
By Roger Capron
Located in Chicago, IL
Roger Capron Bowl, Glazed Earthenware Made in France, c. 1960 Glazed earthenware, signature to underside ‘Capron Vallauris M82’.
Earthenware
Unique Raku Decor on Pignate, Roger Capron, Vallauris 1997
By Roger Capron
Located in St Ouen, FR
Pignate designates a traditional tureen from the french riviera of which the town of Vallauris was the almost exclusive center of production. This magnificent and unusual creation t...
Terracotta
Roger Capron Ceramic Sculpture Bottle "Lavande", 1950s
By Roger Capron
Located in Paris, FR
Roger Capron (1922-2006) Stylized woman ceramic bottle "Lavande" signed by Roger Capron, Vallauris, 1950s Nice condition, with original glass bottle inside.
Ceramic
Roger Capron - Vintage Ceramic Footed Serving Dish
By Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
Vintage Ceramic Footed Serving Dish by Roger Capron - Vallauris, France Roger Capron was in influential French ceramicist, known for his tiled tab...
Ceramic
$418
H 0.99 in W 10.04 in D 3.71 in
Decorative Handmade Organic Studio Pottery Glazed Ceramic Dish or Vide-Poche
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
A beautiful handmade ceramic dish or vide-poche by unknown studio potter / maker with an organic oval form and hand painted glaze of cream and dark grey / blue color (color). Would be perfect for serving nuts or other little bar snacks...
Ceramic, Pottery
$3,466 / set
H 12.21 in W 11.82 in D 11.82 in
Three Rattan Bamboo Planters / Baskets with Brass Rim, Italy, 1970s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Set of Three Mid-Century Modern rattan planters / baskets with brass rims. Italy, 1970s Three rattan baskets in different sizes. The larger one in squared shape and the smallers roun...
Brass
A unique " Oreille" vase by Roger Capron, Vallauris, 1960.
By Roger Capron
Located in Paris, Ile-de-France
Large glazed ceramic vase, by Roger Capron, Vallauris, Vase " A Oreille " White glazed ceramic with a figured a centaur in shades of blues, black and grey covering one full face of...
Ceramic
Decorative Ceramic Vide-Poche by Pol Chambost, circa 1950s
By Pol Chambost
Located in London, GB
Decorative ceramic vide-poche by Pol Chambost (circa 1950s). Small yet elegant seashell-shaped form with white base and dark, grape-purple outline and lip. Outside of the centre, the...
Ceramic
Glazed ceramic bottle or flask, Roger Capron, Vallauris. 1960
By Roger Capron
Located in Paris, Ile-de-France
Long neck ceramic bottle or flask. White glazed ceramic with geometrical red, yellow and black linear decoration. For this shape, this is a rare example of an " mute " bottle, i.e wi...
Ceramic
glazed ceramic "Vase à Oreille" Roger Capron Vallauris 1960.
By Roger Capron
Located in Paris, Ile-de-France
Glazed ceramic " vase à oreille". Stylized polychrom figure of a bull on one side. Perfect thick glaze '"Oreille" or ear shaped vases are typical of ...
Ceramic
$812
H 1.78 in W 7.68 in D 9.65 in
Modern German Porcelain Dish with Beetles by Sofina Porcelain Kitzbuehel
By Sofina Porzellan
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
This completely handmade and hands-free painted porcelain dish is made by Sofina porcelain in Bavaria. Hand-painted with a large stag beetle and other beetles. Rimmed with a platinum...
Porcelain
Verdigris Bronze Decorative Bowl with Legs, Vide-Poche
By The Design Foundry
Located in London, London
Charming and unusual handmade polished cast bronze bowl. Each of these original and elegant bowl is handmade individually. Cast using very traditional te...
Bronze
$1,254Sale Price|30% Off
H 0.79 in W 6.3 in D 7.88 in
Guido Gambone Ceramic Decorative Cup Vide-Poches or wall decoration 1950's
By Guido Gambone
Located in Paris, FR
Guido Gambone (1909-1969) Hand enameled geometric decor on grey glazed ceramic. Can be used as vide-poche or wall decor Signed Gambone, Italy with donkey mark. Nice condition Guido G...
Ceramic
Glazed ceramic vase with polychrome decoration, Roger Capron.Vallauris.
By Roger Capron
Located in Paris, Ile-de-France
Ceramic vase ( or bottle ) by Roger Capron.` Conical shape with wide collar White glazed ceramic with polychrome decoration signed " Capron Vallauris N3 " Roger Capron Vallauris l...
Ceramic
Ceramic Chevron head by Roger Capron Circa 1960's
By Roger Capron
Located in Paris, FR
Ceramic Chevron head by Roger Capron Circa 1960's
Ceramic
Black Lacquered Ceramic Goblet - Vase by by Roger Capron, France
By Roger Capron
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in France, 1970s. This elegant goblet / vase is made in hand-painted ceramic. It is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces, but it can be considered as in very g...
Ceramic
Sold
H 3.55 in W 9.85 in D 2.76 in
20th white and colored ceramic cup or vide poche Roger Capron 1950 vallauris
By Roger Capron
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Roger Capron Large ceramic cup or vide poche "banette" realised in Vallauris White and colored ceramic piece Realised circa 1950 original perfect condition Signed height 9 cm L...
Ceramic
Sold
H 4.73 in W 15.56 in D 4.14 in
Roger Capron Oblong Shaped Ceramic Bowl, Vallauris, France (1957-1965)
By Roger Capron
Located in Stockholm, Stockholms län
Embrace the subtle beauty of this oblong-shaped ceramic bowl, a creation by the hands of Roger Capron in Vallauris, France, model in production in between 1957 and 1965. Crafted with...
Earthenware
Black Glazed Ceramic Bowl by Roger Capron, France, 1950s
By Roger Capron
Located in Rotterdam, ZH
Black glazed ceramic bowl by Roger Capron, France 1950s. Beautiful unusual bowl shape in a characteristic dark glaze which creates a beautiful moody 'canvas' for the primitive floral...
Ceramic
Midcentury Roger Capron Ceramic Vide Poche
By Roger Capron
Located in Henley-on Thames, Oxfordshire
Oval shaped vide poche with bent bamboo handle. Decorated with a medieval style horse in colours. Signed ” Capron – Vallauris G” to the undersi...
Ceramic, Bamboo
Sold
H 3.94 in W 14.97 in D 3.94 in
Ceramic Vide Poches Geometric Decor with Bamboo Handle by Roger Capron 1950s
By Roger Capron
Located in Paris, FR
Roger Capron (1922-2006) Stylized vide poches / cup with a fish on geometric enameled decor and bamboo handle signed Capron Vallauris circa 1950 Measures: H 10 cm (with handle) x...
Ceramic
Ceramic dish with fish decoration by Roger Capron (1922-2006)
By Roger Capron
Located in Paris, Ile-de-France
Glazed ceramic dish with fish decoration. Model created around 1955 Signed 'CAPRON FRANCE DOM ‘ Bibliography: Roger Capron Céramiste, P. Staudenmeyer, ...
Ceramic
Roger Capron French Ceramic Black and White Cache Pot or Vase, Circa 1956
By Roger Capron
Located in Chicago, IL
Roger Capron French ceramic artist black and white ceramic vase with decoration termed scarification. Similar ceramic pieces pictured on p 69 of Roger Capron Ceramist by Pierre Sta...
Ceramic
Decorative Ceramic Bowl by Roger Capron '1950s'
By Roger Capron
Located in London, GB
A decorative ceramic bowl by artist Roger Capron (1922 - 2006) who founded the craft-based workshop in Vallauris, France, l'Atelier Callis. Cap...
Ceramic
Sold
H 3.94 in W 10.24 in D 19.3 in
Large Ceramic Bowl by the French Ceramist Roger Capron from the 60s
By Roger Capron
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Large bowl by French ceramist Roger Capron from the 1960s. Ceramic with a geometric pattern in the centre, black and yellow contrasting with the white of the bowl. Signature of the a...
Ceramic
Roger Capron French Ceramic Dish or Coupe Vallauris, Circa 1960
By Roger Capron
Located in Chicago, IL
Roger Capron milky white enamel glazed exterior with pale blue interior glazed with Minimalist decoration c 1960, Vallauris. Signed. Numbered. Similar glazed pieces are shown in ...
Ceramic