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
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
Mid-Century Modern Ceramic Place Sets by Roger Capron, France, 1950s
By Roger Capron
Located in Berlin, DE
Roger Capron 1 of 2 Place Sets, France - 1950s. Roger Capron (1922-2006) was a French ceramic artist and designer who was known for his innovative use o...
Ceramic
$2,005Sale 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
$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 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 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 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 - 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 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 - 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
$2,200
H 2.29 in W 21.15 in D 10.24 in
Paul Fouillen Mid-Century Ceramic Fish Dinner Set, Quimper, 1950s
By Paul Fouillen
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
French Mid-Century Ceramic Fish Dinner Set by Paul Fouillen, Quimper, 1950s. Rare and charming French mid-century ceramic fish dinner service by Paul Fouillen (1899–1958), produced ...
Ceramic
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
$2,179 / set
H 0.2 in W 7.88 in D 1.97 in
Gio Ponti Silver Cutlery Set for Twelve by Krupp Italy 1950s
By Gio Ponti, Arthur Krupp
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Cutlery silver set for twelve in nickel silver or German silver, this set includes a total of 36 pieces; 12 spoons, 12 forks, and 12 knives with a steel blade. Set designed by Gio ...
Nickel, Stainless Steel
$4,600
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
Rucola Ceramic Plate, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group
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
$324Sale 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
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
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
Hand Painted Ceramic Decorative Moorish Plate 1950s
By Iznik Pottery
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage polychrome hand painted and handcrafted ceramic wall decorative plate with polychrome Ottoman floral design. This is an intricately, hand painted Moorish plate that was made in Turkey. Turkey is famous for its kiln products, such as tiles and pottery, which are glazed and multicolored. It has a beautifully hand painted geometrical Moorish design in burgundy, yellow, turquoise, light and dark blue. An Islamic ceramic...
Ceramic
$2,421 / set
H 0.79 in Dm 7.09 in
Roger Capron Set of 7 Ceramic Plates with Stylized Birds, Vallauris, 1950s
By Roger Capron
Located in Paris, FR
Roger Capron (1922-2006) Unusual ceramic with birds decor set of 7 plates (diameter 18 cm). As wall decoration or dessert plates. Signed Capron Vallauris on back. Manufactured, circa...
Ceramic
Firma Svenskt Tenn Set of Six Pewter Charger Plates, Sweden, 1968
By Svenskt Tenn, Estrid Ericson
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
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 Plate by Roger Capron, Vallauris, France, 1960s
By Roger Capron
Located in Paris, FR
Ceramic Plate by Roger Capron, Vallauris, France, 1960s.
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
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
Pair of Yellow Ceramic Plates Signed Roger Capron Vallauris, 1958
By Roger Capron
Located in Paris, FR
Unusual shiny yellow plates with flowers from 1958, signed by french ceramist Roger Capron Measure: Diameter 21 cm.
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