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.
Roger Capron Wall Mounted Ceramic Clock, circa 1960
By Roger Capron
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Roger Capron wall mounted ceramic clock, circa 1960. By Roger Capron, signed. (France). In original condition with minor wear consistent of age and use, preserving a beautiful pa...
Ceramic
Stoneware Wall Clock by Raymond Peynet for Roger Capron
By Raymond Peynet, Roger Capron
Located in Berlin, DE
This charming ceramic wall clock features a whimsical, hand-illustrated scene in a distinctly mid-century French folk-art style. Crafted from textured stoneware, the clock is richly ...
Ceramic
Stoneware Wall Clock Birds by Raymond Peynet for Roger Capron, France 1960s
By Roger Capron, Raymond Peynet
Located in Berlin, DE
This charming wall clock was produced by the Roger Capron factory, featuring a design by Raymond Peynet, as indicated by the signature. Made from textured stoneware, it shows Peynet’...
Metal
$1,675
H 20.87 in W 17.33 in D 11.42 in
Antique Black Forest Carved Cuckoo Clock with Stag Head on Top
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Antique Black Forest Carved Cuckoo Clock with Stag Head A large handcarved wooden cuckoo clock, decorated with hunting accessoires, oak leaves, hare, pheasant and a stag head ...
Wood
Mocap 'Discodip' Illusionistic Wall Clock
Located in Maastricht, NL
Mocap 'Discodip' illusionistic wall clock design: JAN PAUL “Time is an illusion” Most wall-clocks have the same basic shape: round. Also the ...
Metal
French Wall hanging tile tableau by Roger Capron, 1960s
By Roger Capron
Located in Delft, NL
French Wall hanging tile tableau by Roger Capron, 1960s A wall hanging tile tableau with three small tiles in brown with a scene of the sun. Made by Roge...
Ceramic
$4,615
H 32.3 in W 12.3 in D 5.7 in
Antique Forged Wrought Iron and Brass Arts & Crafts Wall Clock w Bat Sculptures
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning and perfect working antique wall clock, made of wrought iron. Over the years we have had the pleasure of offering a wide range of distinctive wall clocks, but examples of t...
Metal, Brass, Wrought Iron
Wall Clock by Piero Fornasetti
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Vienna, AT
Piero Fornasetti wall clock created in 1990s. Glass clock face with printed woman face and digits with quartz clockwork. Measures: Ø 37 cm.
Glass
German 1960s Junghans Pendulum + Weights + Gong Wall Clock
By Junghans Uhren GmbH
Located in Krefeld, DE
Wall clock Design & produced by Junghans in 1960s. Brass metal and Teak wood. Mechanical movement and gong is in good working condition. Very nice gong but if you don't like it is po...
Brass
Industrial Bakelite Factory Wall Clock from Pragotron, 1960s
By Pragotron
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This wall clock was produced by Pragotron in former Czechoslovakia during the 1960s. It features a brown bakelite frame, a plastic dial, an aluminium hands and a convex clear glass ...
Glass, Bakelite
Wall Clock Leather Brass, 1960s
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A wall clock made of leather and brass manufactured in midcentury, circa 1960. The clock hangs with golden toned cords on a brass knob. A removable key is used for winding the move...
Brass
$6,316
H 24.02 in W 59.65 in D 1.58 in
Exceptional Ceramic Wall Panel by the Cloutier Brothers, circa 1960
By Robert and Jean Cloutier
Located in Santa Gertrudis, Baleares
Rare wall panel of the Cloutier Brothers, made of 5 lava plates enamelled with Cloutier red and black, this abstract representation which can make yo...
Lava
George Nelson for Howard Miller Lucite Wall Clock
By Howard Miller, George Nelson
Located in Astoria, NY
George Nelson for Howard Miller Brass and Lucite Wall Clock, hanging pendulum, label to transparent clock face. 40" H x 15" W x 5.5" D. Provenance: From a New York City Collection.
Brass
Wall Clock " Atlanta ", Germany, around 1960s
Located in Wien, AT
Wall clock " Atlanta " germany, around 1960s Original condition of the case Battery operated, not mechanical.
Brass
$7,700 / item
H 15.75 in W 35.44 in D 1.34 in
ClockClock 24 'Grey' Kinetic Wall Sculpture by Humans Since 1982
By Humans Since 1982
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Time is constant, yet eeting. No sooner has one moment arrived than it’s gone again. And yet, we want to capture it before it passes. Clocks have always been a way to frame the prese...
Cast Stone
Stoneware Wall Clock by Roger Capron
By Roger Capron
Located in Berlin, DE
This sculptural wall clock was designed by Roger Capron himself and produced in his Vallauris workshop. Made from textured ceramic, it features Capron’s distinctive engraved decorati...
Ceramic