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.
$22,700
H 10.24 in W 46.46 in D 21.07 in
Roger Capron Rare 'Alouette' Coffee Table in Ceramic Tiles and Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Roger Capron 'Alouette' coffee table, ceramic brown tiles, beech, France, 1960s A striking and rare coffee table by Roger Capron, model 'Alouette', crafted in France. The design co...
Ceramic, Beech
Signed Roger Capron Coffee Table c. 1960's
By Roger Capron
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Signed Roger Capron Garrigue coffee table. Glazed Tile with intricate botanical frieze pattern carried out throughout the piece. The signed top sits inside a stained oak frame with w...
Ceramic, Oak
$6,800
H 14 in W 46.5 in D 18.75 in
Roger Capron Garrigue Coffee Table with Linear Composition c. 1960's
By Roger Capron
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stamped Roger Capron garrigue coffee table. Glazed Tile with intricate botanical frieze pattern carried out throughout the piece. The signed top sits on a stained oak frame with with...
Ceramic, Oak
Coffee Table by Roger CAPRON
By Roger Capron
Located in PARIS, FR
Rare ceramic coffee table by famed French ceramist Roger Capron, during his time at Vallauris. Hand-signed by the artist as can be seen in the photo.
Metal
$5,301
H 13.78 in W 55.12 in D 20.48 in
Vintage Roger Capron Coffee Table, Ceramic Herbiers Design, 1970
By Roger Capron
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Vintage herbarium coffee table by Roger Capron. Rare in this configuration. Very good condition. The discovery of ceramics led Roger Capron to change his medium. In 1946, he settled...
Steel
1960's SIGNED Roger Capron Steel and Ceramic Top Coffee Table
By Roger Capron
Located in North Miami, FL
A lovely earth-tones ceramic top on steel frame coffee table by Roger Capron (signed). Lovely vintage condition which accentuates the patina to aged steel frame. Ceramics are perfe...
Steel
$1,673
H 11.82 in W 36.42 in D 17.13 in
Roger Capron 1970 Coffee Table with Ceramic Top, French Design
By Roger Capron
Located in London, England
Discover the Roger Capron coffee table, a true masterpiece of French design of the 1970s, which evokes Picasso's contemporary spirit. Coming from the beautiful Côte d'Azur, this icon...
Metal
$12,377
H 11.82 in W 47.64 in D 14.97 in
Large coffee table by the famous French ceramist Roger Capron from 60's
By Roger Capron
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Large coffee table by the famous French ceramist Roger Capron, dating from the 1960s. Steel structure and top made of ceramic tiles of various sizes, representing highly decorative a...
Metal
Roger Capron Coffee Table, Vallauris, France, circa 1950
By Roger Capron
Located in Antwerp, BE
An early and highly collectible ceramic tile coffee table by Roger Capron, executed in Vallauris around 1950, during the formative and most artistically significant period of his car...
Ceramic, Wood
Table Basse
By Roger Capron
Located in Paris, FR
Coffee table by French ceramic artist Roger Capron Glazed ceramic top, metal frame, engobe relief on lava
Steel
Coffee table by Roger Capron
By Roger Capron
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Jolie table par Roger Capron en céramique ocre à décor central de soleil figuratif.
Iron
Coffee table by Roger Capron
By Roger Capron
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Roger CAPRON (1922-2006) Table basse de la série T, circa 1962, à plateau rectangulaire orné de carreaux en céramique gris et blanc et de trois lames en teck disposé sur une structur...
Iron
Coffee table by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
jolie Table par Jacques Adnet, belle proportion, très belle finition
Leather, Oak
Roger Capron coffee table : «grain de café »
By Roger Capron
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Table basse par Roger Capron
Iron
Nice Coffee table by Roger Capron in ceramics and Iron base
By Roger Capron
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Table basse par Roger Capron vers 1960, plateau en lave émaillé. 1952 Capron rachète une poterie désaffectée de Vallauris (ancienne fabrique de poteries culinaires du Font des H...
Iron
Joaquim Tenreiro coffee table
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Très jolie table basse de Joaquim Tenreiro à piétement d’aile d’avion et traverse fuselée. Le bois utilisé est de l’imbuia et le plateau est en marbre. C’est une table de 1950. ...
Carrara Marble
