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.
Jacqueline Capron Ceramic Panel, circa 1960
By Roger Capron
Located in New York, NY
A captivating rectangular ceramic plaque depicting a stylized fish in raised relief, intricately detailed with textured scales and glazed in a harmonious palette of turquoise, green,...
Ceramic
ROGER CAPRON - Mask N°2 France, circa 1960 Glazed ceramic
By Roger Capron
Located in PARIS, FR
ROGER CAPRON (1922 - 2006) Masque N°2 France, vers 1960 Céramique émaillée H : 24 cm / L : 16 cm / P : 7 cm Socle : 32,5 cm x 12 cm x 12 cm Excellent état général. Quelques traces li...
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
glazed ceramic "Vase à Oreille" Roger Capron Vallauris 1960.
By Roger Capron
Located in Paris, Ile-de-France
Glazed ceramic " vase à oreille". Stylized polychrom figure of a bull on one side. Perfect thick glaze '"Oreille" or ear shaped vases are typical of ...
Ceramic
Glazed ceramic bottle or flask, Roger Capron, Vallauris. 1960
By Roger Capron
Located in Paris, Ile-de-France
Long neck ceramic bottle or flask. White glazed ceramic with geometrical red, yellow and black linear decoration. For this shape, this is a rare example of an " mute " bottle, i.e wi...
Ceramic
$1,860
H 9.45 in W 7.88 in D 5.91 in
Black ceramic Porcelain Sculpture by Tim and Jacqueline Orr, circa 1970
By Tim Orr
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
An elegant porcelain sculpture represented a woman body with mat black glaze decoration by Tim and Jacqueline Orr. Signed at the base "Tim Orr". circa 1970-1980.
Ceramic
Glazed ceramic vase with polychrome decoration, Roger Capron.Vallauris.
By Roger Capron
Located in Paris, Ile-de-France
Ceramic vase ( or bottle ) by Roger Capron.` Conical shape with wide collar White glazed ceramic with polychrome decoration signed " Capron Vallauris N3 " Roger Capron Vallauris l...
Ceramic
$1,200
H 6.5 in W 14.13 in D 0.44 in
Artist Roger Capron Ceramic Tile in the Style of a Prehistoric Fossil Fish
By Roger Capron
Located in St. Louis, MO
Roger Capron French (1922–2006) large ceramic tile evocative of a prehistoric fossil fish, executed in intricate, dimensional detail and finished in...
Ceramic
Vase or cachepot glazed ceramic, Roger Capron, Vallauris, 1950's
By Roger Capron
Located in Paris, Ile-de-France
Glazed ceramic vase or cachepot. Ceramic glazed in several shades of turquoise, blue and white with linear black motives . This decor is generally seen in red, navy blue and yello...
Ceramic
"Diabolo" Ceramic Vase by Roger Capron, France
By Roger Capron
Located in Paris, Ile-de-France
Black and white glazed ceramic By Roger Capron, Vallauris 1955’s Dimensions : Height : 21 cm (8.7 inches) Diameter : 13 cm (5.11 inches).
Ceramic
" Diabolo " glazed ceramic vase by Roger Capron, Vallauris. circa 1960.
By Roger Capron
Located in Paris, Ile-de-France
Ceramic "Diabolo" or "Cornet" vase by Roger Capron. Glazed ceramic with geometrical decoration in shades of red, yellow, blue and black. This pattern is referred to as " Pavés " ...
Ceramic
$7,906
H 10.04 in W 9.45 in D 8.86 in
A glazed ceramic vase "Oreille " Roger Capron, Vallauris, circa 1960.
By Roger Capron
Located in Paris, Ile-de-France
Roger Capron, Vallauris, Large vase "Oreille" White and light grey glazed ceramic decorated with black engraved geometric patterns. This type of vase"Oreille" ( ear ) has been pro...
Ceramic
Glazed ceramic " Diabolo" vase Roger Capron, Vallauris.
By Roger Capron
Located in Paris, Ile-de-France
"Diabolo" vase by Roger Capron White glazed ceramic vase decorated with geometrical motives in red, yellow, blue and black. Capron produced this "Diabolo" shaped vases in 4 sizes. Th...
Ceramic
Roger Capron - Ceramic Sculpture Cleopatra
By Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
Vintage double sided ceramic sculpture of Cleopatra by Roger Capron Signed by Capron at Vallauris, France. Roger Capron was in influential French ceramicist, known for his tiled tab...
Ceramic
Ceramic Easter Egg from Atelier Madoura 'circa 1960s'
By Madoura
Located in London, GB
Vintage ceramic egg figure from Atelier Madoura, Vallauris, France (circa 1960s). This egg-sized ceramic figure is painted with a stylized suited man w...
Ceramic
Sold
H 11.03 in W 7.09 in D 2.76 in
Roger Capron : "Ligbi" tribal mask, balck glazed earthenware, c.1965
By Roger Capron
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Roger CAPRON (1922-200, France) : "Ligbi" tribal mask Black patinated glazed earthenware showing a triblal "Ligbi" mask Circa 1965 Good condtion, seems to have an old restauration...
Earthenware
Roger Capron's Wall-mounted Sculpture Depicts a Face Inspired of Picasso
By Roger Capron
Located in Stockholm, SE
Unique piece created in Vallauris, France. Raku, glazes, engravings, and slips. Signed. R. Capron. Emblematic work, and a personal interpretation of Picasso face full of poetry and...
Enamel
Ceramic Bird Pitcher Vase Signed by Roger Capron, Vallauris, 1950s
By Roger Capron
Located in Paris, FR
Roger Capron (1922-2006) Stylized Bird vase signed Capron Vallauris circa 1950 Measures: H 22 cm x L 20 cm.
Ceramic
Ceramic Bird Pitcher Vase Signed by Roger Capron, Vallauris, 1950s
By Roger Capron
Located in Paris, FR
Roger Capron (1922-2006) Stylized Bird vase signed Capron Vallauris circa 1950 Measures: H 22 cm x L 20 cm.
Ceramic
Ceramic Bird Pitcher Vase Signed by Roger Capron, Vallauris, 1950s
By Roger Capron
Located in Paris, FR
Roger Capron (1922-2006) Stylized Bird vase signed Capron Vallauris circa 1950 Measures: H 22 cm x L 20 cm.
Ceramic
Ceramic Bird Pitcher Vase Signed by Roger Capron, Vallauris, 1950s
By Roger Capron
Located in Paris, FR
Roger Capron (1922-2006) Stylized Bird vase signed Capron Vallauris circa 1950 Measures: H 22 cm x L 20 cm.
Ceramic
Sold
H 8.67 in Dm 7.88 in L 8.67 in
Ceramic Bird Pitcher Vase Signed by Roger Capron, Vallauris, 1950s
By Roger Capron
Located in Paris, FR
Roger Capron (1922-2006) Stylized Bird vase signed Capron Vallauris circa 1950 Measures: H 22 cm x L 20 cm.
Ceramic
French Lavender Woman in Ceramic by Roger Capron
By Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
Little vintage woman made of ceramic by Roger Capron. It is written "lavender" in French.
Ceramic