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.
$998Sale Price / set|33% Off
Roger Capron - Set of 6 Colorful Ceramic Plates with Mask
By Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
A set of six plates made by Roger Capron in Vallauris, France in 1960s. Same design presented in six different colors. The 6 plates come with their original packaging. We have 4 set...
Porcelain
Roger Capron - Set of 4 Ceramic Mugs with Cobblestones
By Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
Set of 4 cups with cobblestones 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
$2,190 / set
Roger Capron - Ceramic Dish with Cobblestones
By Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
Vintage ceramic decorative bowl with cobblestone motif. Roger Capron Signed Vallauris, France. Roger Capron was in influential French ceramicist, known for his tiled tables and his...
Ceramic
Roger Capron - Ceramic Urn/Vase with Dove
By Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
Vintage ceramic vase with abstract design by Roger Capron. Vallauris, France Roger Capron was in influential French ceramicist, known for his tiled tables and his use of recurring ...
Ceramic
Roger Capron - Ceramic Urn/Vase with Rooster
By Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
Vintage ceramic vase with rooster by Roger Capron Vallauris, France. Roger Capron was in influential French ceramicist, known for his tiled tables and his use of recurring motifs s...
Ceramic
Roger Capron - Ceramic Canoe Dish with Fish
By Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
Ceramic decorative vessel Roger Capron Signed Vallauris, France. Roger Capron was in influential French ceramicist, known for his tiled tables and his use of recurring motifs such ...
Ceramic
Roger Capron - Vintage Triangular Dish with Pyjama Motif
By Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
Vintage ceramic vessel with pyjama motif. Signed Vallauris, France. Roger Capron was in influential French ceramicist, known for his tiled tables and his use of recurring motifs s...
Ceramic
Roger Capron - Ceramic Dish with Banded Design
By Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
Vintage ceramic decorative bowl with abstract motif. Roger Capron Signed Vallauris, France. Roger Capron was in influential French ceramicist, known for his tiled tables and his us...
Ceramic
Roger Capron - Ceramic Canoe Dish with Abstract Design
By Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
Ceramic decorative vessel Roger Capron Signed Vallauris, France. Roger Capron was in influential French ceramicist, known for his tiled tables and his use of recurring motifs such ...
Ceramic
Roger Capron - Set of 8 Ceramic Mugs with Abstract Motif
By Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
Set of 8 vintage mugs. The price is for 8 cups. Roger capron signed Vallauris, France. Roger Capron was in influential French ceramicist, known for his...
Ceramic
Roger Capron - Ceramic Dish with Stripes
By Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
Vintage ceramic decorative bowl with pyjama motif. Roger Capron signed Vallauris, France. Roger Capron was in influential French ceramicist, known for his tiled tables and his use ...
Ceramic
Roger Capron - Ceramic Canoe Dish with Abstract Design
By Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
Vintage ceramic decorative vessel Roger Capron Signed Vallauris, France. Roger Capron was in influential French ceramicist, known for his tiled tables and his use of recurring moti...
Ceramic
Rucola Ceramic Plate, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
By Memphis Group, Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Rucola ceramic dinner plate was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass, in 1985, as part of a series of decorative plates. The playful names of the design items are a reminder of...
Ceramic
$313Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 0.4 in Dm 12.6 in
Apulia, Three Contemporary Porcelain Platters with Decorative Design
By Vito Nesta
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Inspired by Vito Nesta's home town, Puglia, in southern Italy, this unique set of platters is perfect to serve different dishes. Three large platters perfect for meat, cakes or the A...
Porcelain
$4,438
H 1.19 in Dm 15.36 in
Large Ceramic Decorative Dish "Woman & Bird" Signed by Roger Capron, 1955
By Roger Capron
Located in Paris, FR
Roger Capron (1922-2006) Roger Capron studied at Art appliqués of Paris from 1938 to 1943 before teaching drawing in the same establishment from 1945. In 1946, he settled in Vallaur...
Ceramic
Porcelain Dish, Rosenthal Pompadour, Germany, 1944
By Rosenthal
Located in Chorzów, PL
Porcelain plate, a product of the Pompadour series of the valued German manufacturer Rosenthal. Porcelain in ecru color, decorated with gilding and a motif of floral bouquets Signe...
Porcelain
Matched Set of 7 Midcentury Roger Capron Ceramic Coasters
By Roger Capron
Located in Henley-on Thames, Oxfordshire
A matched set of earthenware drinks coasters by Roger Capron with incised and coloured decoration depicting trees and fishes. Stamped signatures to the reverse Vallauris, Fran...
Earthenware
Ceramic Vase by Roger Capron, France, 1960s
By Roger Capron
Located in Paris, FR
Ceramic vase by Roger Capron, France, 1960s.
Ceramic
Firma Svenskt Tenn Set of Six Pewter Charger Plates, Sweden, 1968
By Estrid Ericson, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Odense, DK
Wonderful set of six original charger plates manufactured at Firma Svenskt Tenn in the 1968. Made of beautifully patinated pewter. Great quality. All signed and marked with the "Ängl...
Pewter
Ceramic Vase by Roger Capron, Vallauris, France, 1950s
By Roger Capron
Located in Paris, FR
Ceramic vase by Roger Capron, Vallauris, France, 1950s Signed Capron Vallauris.
Ceramic
$782
H 0.1 in W 23 in D 9 in
Unique Art Deco Display or Serving Tray with Carved Roses, Flowers and Leaves
Located in Lisse, NL
One of a kind, carved wood Art Deco serving tray. This rare and good size serving tray dates from the roaring twenties. The carved flowers, leafs and branches are of good quality. T...
Iron
$1,450Sale Price / set|23% Off
H 13.5 in W 19 in D 3 in
Set of 10 Antique American "W.P." Red & Gold Porcelain Turkey Plates & Platter
Located in New Orleans, LA
Set of 10 Antique American Cranberry Red and Gold Porcelain "Turkey" Plates and Serving Platter with Hand-Painted Details Made By "Wheeling Pottery Co.," Circa 1890's. Perfect for Th...
Porcelain
$3,048 / set
H 0.75 in Dm 13 in
Charger Plates Platters Serveware Set of 6 in Green Marble Collectible Handmade
By Pieruga Marble, Barberini & Gunnell
Located in Ancona, Marche
Set of 6 hand carved charger plates from Green Ming marble. Multiple use as charger plates, plates platters and placers. Dimensions: D 33 x H 1.9 cm. Available in different marbles...
Marble
Indivia Ceramic Plate, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
By Memphis Group, Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Indivia ceramic dinner plate was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass, in 1985, as part of a series of decorative plates. The playful names of the design items are a reminder o...
Ceramic
Set of 8 Roger Capron Painted Plates
By Roger Capron
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Incredible set of 8 painted plates by Roger Capron from France, 1950s. Beautiful hand painted blue and green leaf motif on slightly tinted blue ceramic plate...
Ceramic
Roger Capron Painted Plate with Flower Motif
By Roger Capron
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful ceramic hand painted plate with blue and white flower motif by Roger Capron from France, 1950's. Signed on back.
Ceramic
Roger Capron Plate with Leaf Motif
By Roger Capron
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful ceramic hand painted plate with blue and green leaf motif by Roger Capron from France, 1950's. Signed on back.
Ceramic
Set of 6 Roger Capron Painted Plates
By Roger Capron
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Incredible set of 6 painted plates by Roger Capron from France, 1950s. Beautiful hand painted blue and green leaf motif on slightly tinted blue ceramic plate...
Ceramic
Roger Capron 7 Ceramic Plates with Stylized Animals, from Vallauris, 1950s
By Roger Capron
Located in Paris, FR
Roger Capron (1922-2006) Set of 7 unusual ceramic plates: 1 dish (diameter 24 cm) with a bird and 6 plates (Diameter 18 cm) with 3 birds / 1 horse/ 2 fishes As wall decoration or t...
Ceramic
Set of Four Decorative Plates by Roger Capron, circa 1950s
By Roger Capron
Located in London, GB
Set of four decorative plates by Roger Capron (circa 1950s). Acquired from a family of Capron collectors who have held them for over 60 years, these plates with stylised characters are in excellent vintage condition with only very minor blemishing on the back side. The four painted images are each unique, but related stylistically. The colours are as vivid as the day they were created. This is an exceptional collection for those admirers of the works of master ceramicist, Roger Capron. Signed: 'Capron' with production code. A video clip of the set may be provided upon request. About the Artist: The mid-century ceramic art of Roger Capron (1922 - 2006) embodied the vibrant spirit and verve of Vallauris and the French Côte d'Azur. He took over an abandoned pottery studio at the age of 24 in Vallauris, where he worked with Robert Picault and then Jean Derval. Capron’s ceramic workshop, known as "l'Atelier Callis", contributed to the Renaissance of ceramics in Vallauris and at its peak employed over 120 ceramicists. He eventually expanded his production of vases, pitchers and other functional wares to include coffee tables with hand glazed tiles, lamp bases, wall plaques and other interior decor objects along with sculptural statues...
Ceramic
Set of Six Plates by Roger Capron
By Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
A set a six plates made by Roger Capron in Vallauris, France in 1960s. Same design presented in six different colors. 6 sets (of 6 plates) available
Porcelain
Decorative Ceramic Plate by Roger Capron
By Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
One of a kind hand-painted ceramic plate by Roger Capron.
Ceramic
Decorative Ceramic Plate by Roger Capron
By Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
One of a kind hand-painted ceramic plate by Roger Capron.
Ceramic
Roger Capron - Decorative Black Ceramic Plate with Mermaid
By Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
One of a kind hand-painted ceramic plate by Roger Capron.
Ceramic
Decorative Ceramic Plate by Roger Capron
By Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
One of a kind hand-painted ceramic plate by Roger Capron.
Ceramic
Decorative Ceramic Plate by Roger Capron
By Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
One of a kind hand-painted ceramic plate by Roger Capron.
Ceramic