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.
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
A Matched Pair of Ceramic Pearlware Cow Creamers
Located in London, GB
England, circa 1830. An early nineteenth century matched pair of pearlware cow creamers, the first with black and red patches and the other purple and red, both mounted on a grassy ...
Ceramic
$525 / set
H 3.25 in Dm 6 in
Mid-Century Pfaltzgraff Pottery Lidded Onion Soup Au Gratin Casseroles, Set/6
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A set of six Mid-Century earthenware Onion Soup au Gratins, The Pfaltzgraff Pottery Company, circa 1950-1960. Six oven proof individual casseroles with s...
Stoneware
$998Sale Price / set|33% Off
H 0.5 in Dm 9.5 in
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
Ceramic Pitcher Vase by Roger Capron
By Roger Capron
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Roger Capron was a student of Applied Arts in Paris from 1938 to 1943 before teaching drawing there from 1945 In 1946 he moved to Vallauris where he created a ceramics workshop Cal...
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
Ceramic Vase by Roger Capron
By Roger Capron
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Roger Capron was a student of Applied Arts in Paris from 1938 to 1943 before teaching drawing there from 1945 In 1946 he moved to Vallauris where he created a ceramics workshop Cal...
Ceramic
$1,400Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 14 in Dm 6 in
Roger Capron - Set of 4 Vintage Ceramic Goblets with Cobblestones
By Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
Set of 4 Vintage Ceramic Goblets with Cobblestones by Roger Capron - Vallauris, France Roger Capron was in influential French ceramicist, known for his tiled tables and his use of r...
Ceramic
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 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 - 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 - 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
Roger Capron - Vintage Ceramic Whisky 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
Roger Capron Service à "orangeade" en céramique
By Roger Capron
Located in LYON, FR
Superbe service à orangeade en céramique de Roger CAPRON composé d'un grand pichet (33 cm de haut) et de sept gobelets (hauteur 18 cm). Cet ensemble aux typiques de Capron est sign...
Ceramic
Sold
H 2.37 in W 5.12 in D 3.94 in
Vide Poche ou Cendrier Roger Capron en céramique rouge Français 1950 Vintage
By Roger Capron
Located in London, England
Vide poche ou cendrier fut fabriqué de 1955 à 1965 en parfait état Roger Capron (1922 -2006) remporte en 1970 le Grand Prix International de la Céramique. Céramiste surdoué et visi...
Ceramic
Roger Capron Ceramic Pitcher for Vallauris, France, 1950's
By Roger Capron
Located in Barcelona, ES
Ceramic pitcher designed in 1950's by Roger Capron, Vallauris, France. Hand painted glazed ceramic. Signed.
Ceramic
Ceramic "Diabolo" Vase by Roger Capron, Vallauris
By Roger Capron, Vallauris
Located in Paris, Ile-de-France
"Diabolo" vase with " Pyjama" motive. White glazed ceramic decorated with black and polychrome vertical stripes motives Vallauris, France, 1950's. Capron produced this shape of "D...
Ceramic
Signed Roger Capron Ceramic Tea Canister Vallauris France
By Roger Capron
Located in Troy, MI
Signed ceramic tea canister by Roger Capron in his iconic black and white plus color block style, circa 1960s. Signed on the underside of base with artist name, Vallauris, France. Nu...
Ceramic
Roger Capron Large Diabolo Vase
By Roger Capron
Located in Grenoble, FR
Large diabolo vase by Roger Capron in perfect condition Vallauris signed.
Ceramic
Roger Capron Plate with Relief Portrait
By Roger Capron
Located in New York, NY
Heavy stoneware plate with glazed relief portrait. By Vallauris artist and master ceramist Roger Capron, executed circa 1977. With incise signature on back.
Stoneware
Roger Capron "Oreilles" Vase with Polychrome Decoration
By Roger Capron
Located in New York, NY
Vase form with ears and applied polychrome enamel paint, by Vallauris master Roger Capron. The smallest of three sizes. Vividly colored and fluidly drawn pattern. With signature to b...
Ceramic