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.
$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
Roger Capron - Deep Vintage Bowl with Cobblestones
By Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
Deep Vintage Bowl with Cobblestones by Roger Capron - Vallauris, France Roger Capron was in influential French ceramicist, known for his tiled tables a...
Ceramic
Roger Capron - Slanted Vintage Ceramic Bowl with Yellow and Black Lines
By Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
Slanted Vintage Ceramic Bowl with Yellow and Black Lines by Roger Capron - Vallauris, France Roger Capron was in influential French ceramicist, known fo...
Ceramic
White Vase by Roger Capron
By Roger Capron
Located in Paris, Ile-de-France
Vase by Roger Capron White glazed ceramic with black decoration. Signed : Capron Vallauris B.A Vallauris 1960’s France, 1960’s Dimension ...
Ceramic
Vase by Roger Capron
By Roger Capron
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Vase à anse par Roger Capron et déxor dit Pyjama. Signé et situé.
Ceramic
Vase by Roger Capron
By Roger Capron
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Vase soliflore par Roger Capron. Signé et situé.
Ceramic
$1,894
H 5.91 in W 6.11 in D 22.64 in
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
Cornet vase by Roger Capron
By Roger Capron
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Case cornet par Roger Capron, Vallauris, France.
Ceramic
Roger Capron - Vintage Ceramic Fine Flask
By Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
Vintage ceramic decorative flask signed by Roger Capron - Vallauris, France Roger Capron was in influential French ceramicist, known for his tiled tables and his use of recurring mo...
Ceramic
Vase by Roger Capron
By Roger Capron
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Vase par Roger Capron, à Vallauris. Deux cheveux de cuissons.
Ceramic
Roger Capron - Glazed Ceramic Humidor
By Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
Molded Ceramic Humidor with "Tabac" and Patterned Stamped Designs; Moss-colored Glazed Ceramic Finish with Original Natural Cork Stopper.
Ceramic
Roger Capron - Vintage Ceramic Gin Flask
By Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
Vintage ceramic decorative flask signed by Roger Capron - Vallauris, France Roger Capron was in influential French ceramicist, known for his tiled tables and his use of recurring mo...
Ceramic
Cup by Roger Capron
By Roger Capron
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Coupe en céramique à décor abstrait, par Roger Capron à Vallauris. Signée.
Ceramic