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
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
$2,057 / 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
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
$628
H 2.17 in W 14.97 in D 11.42 in
Mid-Century Modern Ceramic Plate by Etienne Daniel, French Vallauris, 1950s
By Robert Picault
Located in Camblanes et Meynac, FR
Mid-Century Modern Ceramic Plate by Etienne Daniel, French Vallauris, 1950s Large dish enamelled in white, green and brown tones adorned with stylized...
Enamel
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
Ceramic Plate by Roger Capron, Vallauris, France, 1950s
By Roger Capron
Located in Paris, FR
Ceramic Plate by Roger Capron, Vallauris, France, 1950s.
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
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
Ceramic valet tray Roger Capron
By Roger Capron
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Ceramic valet tray (vide-poche) shaped like a goat's head from the "Tetes de Bites (Beast Head) series by Roger Capron circa 1950a
Ceramic
$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 Plate by Roger Capron, France, 1950s
By Roger Capron
Located in Paris, FR
Ceramic Plate by Roger Capron, France, 1950s
Ceramic
Roger Capron Mid-Century Modern Ceramic Whisky Flask, Vallauris 1950
By Roger Capron
Located in Henley-on Thames, Oxfordshire
Roger Capron anthropomorphic shaped ceramic whisky bottle in pyjama stripes. Signed to the underside “Capron Vallauris 39A” Vallauris France, circa 1950 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. In 1946, Roger Capron moved to Vallauris, where he founded a ceramics workshop known as 'l`Atelier Callis', along with Robert Picault and Jean Derval he began his contribution to the renaissance of ceramics in Vallauris. In 1952, Capron purchased an abandoned pottery in Vallauris and opened a small ceramics...
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
Ceramic Cups by Roger Capron
By Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
Cups made out of ceramic by Roger Capron
Ceramic