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.
$972Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage French Coffee Table with Ceramic Top by Roger Capron (circa 1970s)
By Roger Capron
Located in London, GB
A classic and collectible rectangular coffee table by renowned French ceramicist Roger Capron, created in the 1970s in his Vallauris workshop. The tabletop is composed of Capron’s di...
Metal
Roger Capron Ceramic Tiles Coffee or Side Table Vallauris, France
By Roger Capron
Located in Chicago, IL
Roger Capron ceramic tiled coffee or side table. This style was often done by Capron during the 60's which was less literal and more abstract, with the emphasis on the beauty of the...
Iron
$1,320 / item
Baby Side Table with Orange Dot Roger Capron Tile
By Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
These tables feature new painted steel frames and a vintage lava tile from Roger Capron. Made in 1970s, these tiles vary in color and texture, resulting from the hand glazed process....
Metal
Baby Side Table with a Red Dot Ceramic Tile by Roger Capron
By Roger Capron, Guéridon Design
Located in Stratford, CT
These side tables feature new painted steel frames and a vintage lava tile from Roger Capron. Made in 1970s, these tiles vary in color and texture, resulting from the hand glazed pro...
Metal
Gueridon Coffee Table with 4 Roger Capron Ceramic Tiles
By Roger Capron, Guéridon Design
Located in Stratford, CT
This coffee table is made from four ceramic tiles created in the 1970s by Roger Capron, one of the most renowned ceramists of the Modern era. Each tile is unique, hand-glazed, and v...
Metal
$816Sale Price|47% Off
Coffee Table with Decorative Ceramic Tiles by Roger Capron, circa 1970s
By Roger Capron
Located in London, GB
Coffee table with decorative ceramic tiles by artist, Roger Capron. This charming table (circa 1970s) is a quintessential example of collectib...
Metal
Scarce side table by Roger Capron
By Roger Capron
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Table d’appoint par Roger Capron vers 1960, Vallauris.
Iron
Gueridon Designed Baby Side Table with Solid Red Tile by Roger Capron
By Roger Capron, Guéridon Design
Located in Stratford, CT
These side tables feature new painted steel frames and a vintage lava tile from Roger Capron. Made in 1970s, these tiles vary in color and texture, resulting from the hand glazed pro...
Metal
Gueridon Console with 4 Ceramic Tiles by Roger Capron
By Roger Capron, Guéridon Design
Located in Stratford, CT
This coffee table / console is made with 4 ceramic tiles made in the 1970's by Roger Capron, one of the most well-known ceramist of the Modern era. Each tile is unique, hand-glazed ...
Metal
$3,368
Roger Capron side table
By Roger Capron
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Table d’appoint ou guéridon par Roger Capron,
Iron
Baby Side Table with a Red Dot Ceramic Tile by Roger Capron
By Roger Capron, Guéridon Design
Located in Stratford, CT
These side tables feature new painted steel frames and a vintage lava tile from Roger Capron. Made in 1970s, these tiles vary in color and texture, resulting from the hand glazed pro...
Metal
Gueridon Coffee Table with 4 Ceramic Tiles by Roger Capron
By Guéridon Design, Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
This coffee table is made with 4 ceramic tiles made in the 1970's by Roger Capron, one of the most well-known ceramist of the Modern era. Each tile is unique, hand-glazed and varied...
Metal
Roger Capron and Jean Derval Small Coffee Table, 1960s
By Jean Derval, Roger Capron
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
French coffee table by Roger Capron and Jean Derval, Vallauris, 1960s. This exceptional French coffee table, created in the 1960s, is a testament to the rare collaboration between tw...
Iron
Gueridon Console Table with 12 Red and 8 Navette Roger Capron Ceramic Tiles
By Guéridon Design, Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
This coffee console is made with 12 red and 8 navette ceramic tiles made in the 1970's by Roger Capron, one of the most well-known ceramist of the Modern era. We use these tiles to ...
Metal
Gueridon Coffee Table with 6 Roger Capron Ceramic Tiles
By Roger Capron, Guéridon Design
Located in Stratford, CT
This coffee table is made with six ceramic tiles created in the 1970s by Roger Capron, one of the most renowned ceramists of the Modern era. Each tile is unique, hand-glazed, and va...
Metal
Gueridon Coffee Table with 4 Roger Capron Ceramic Tiles
By Roger Capron, Guéridon Design
Located in Stratford, CT
This coffee table is made with 4 ceramic tiles made in the 1970's by Roger Capron, one of the most well-known ceramist of the Modern era. Each tile is unique, hand-glazed and varied...
Metal
Double Gueridon Baby Side Table with Ceramic Tiles by Roger Capron
By Guéridon Design, Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
These double baby side tables were made with ceramic tiles made in the 1970's by Mr. Capron, one of the most well-known ceramist of the Modern era. Each tile is unique, hand-glazed ...
Metal
Double Gueridon Baby Side Table with 2 Roger Capron Ceramic Tiles
By Roger Capron, Guéridon Design
Located in Stratford, CT
These double baby side tables were made with ceramic tiles made in the 1970's by Mr. Capron, one of the most well-known ceramist of the Modern era. Each tile is unique, hand-glazed ...
Metal
Scarce side table by Roger Capron
By Roger Capron
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Rare bout de canapé par Roger Capron
Metal
Gueridon Coffee Table with Colorful Ceramic Tiles by Roger Capron
By Roger Capron, Guéridon Design
Located in Stratford, CT
This coffee table is made with colorful ceramic tiles made in the 1970's by Roger Capron, one of the most well-known ceramist of the Modern era. The smaller tiles are the "planètes"...
Metal
Gueridon Console / Coffee Table with 4 Roger CapronCeramic Tiles
By Roger Capron, Guéridon Design
Located in Stratford, CT
This coffee table / console is made with 4 ceramic tiles made in the 1970's by Roger Capron, one of the most well-known ceramist of the Modern era. Each tile is unique, hand-glazed ...
Metal
Gueridon Designed Baby Side Table with a Solid Red Roger Capron Tile
By Guéridon Design, Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
These side tables feature new painted steel frames and a vintage lava tile from Roger Capron. Made in 1970s, these tiles vary in color and texture, resulting from the hand glazed pro...
Metal
Coffee Table Navette Orange by Roger Capron Design Ceramic, French, 1950
By Roger Capron
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
One ceramic table orange Navette model designed by French ceramist Roger Capron in 1950. Very good state. The tiles move slightly over time (see photos)...
Iron
$1,320 / item
Baby Side Table with Solid Red Roger Capron Tile
By Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
These tables feature new painted steel frames and a vintage lava tile from Roger Capron. Made in 1970s, these tiles vary in color and texture, resulting from the hand glazed process....
Metal
Gueridon Coffee Table with 10 Roger Capron Ceramic Tiles
By Guéridon Design, Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
This coffee table is made with 10 ceramic tiles made in the 1970's by Roger Capron, one of the most well-known ceramist of the Modern era. Each tile is unique, hand-glazed and varie...
Metal
Small Coffee Table Navette Orange by Roger Capron Design Ceramic, French, 1950
By Roger Capron
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
One ceramic table orange Navette model designed by French ceramist Roger Capron in 1950. Very good state. The tiles move slightly over time (see photos)...
Iron
Set of 4 Ceramic End Tables, Roger Capron, Vallauris c. 1960
By Roger Capron
Located in St Ouen, FR
Black ceramic top underligned by a row of four decorated tiles combining birds and naive subjects in an orientalist spirit. The enamelling in relief brings animation ans sophisticati...
Ceramic
Coffee Table Navette Orange by Roger Capron Design Ceramic French
By Roger Capron
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
coffee table "Navette" orange created by the french ceramist Roger Capron. Two table length 120 cm. Perfect original condition
Iron
$9,241
Table Basse
By Roger Capron
Located in Paris, FR
Sublime ceramic coffee table by Roger Capron measuring 32 x 123 x 32 cm
Ceramic
Gueridon Coffee Table with 10 Ceramic Tiles by Roger Capron
By Guéridon Design, Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
This coffee table is made with 10 ceramic tiles made in the 1970's by Roger Capron, one of the most well-known ceramist of the Modern era. Each tile is unique, hand-glazed and varie...
Metal
Side table by Roger Capron
By Roger Capron
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Charmante table d’appoint par Roger Capron, vers 1960.
Iron
Gueridon Coffee Table with"Planètes" from the Red Series by Roger Capron
By Roger Capron, Guéridon Design
Located in Stratford, CT
This coffee table is made with colorful ceramic tiles made in the 1970's by Roger Capron, one of the most well-known ceramist of the Modern era. The smaller tiles are the "planètes"...
Metal