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.
French Round Coffee Table Herbarium Vallauris Faience Top by Roger Capron
By Roger Capron
Located in Labrit, Landes
Round coffee table with faience top signed Roger Capron and made in Vallauris. This table is a part of the vegetal serie French, midcentury Capron's creations contributed to a verita...
Faience, Wood
$3,680Sale Price|20% Off
H 13 in Dm 31 in
Roger Capron - Round Ceramic Coffee Table from the Herbier's Series on Wood Legs
By Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
Round end or coffee table with the famous Roger Capron Herbier tiles, designed from 1968 to 1982. The tiles are nicely underlined with a white grout. The handcrafted Herbier tiles...
Ceramic, Wood
Roger Capron Vintage Round Ceramic Tile "Les Herbiers" Coffee Table
By Roger Capron
Located in North Miami, FL
This “Garrigue” model round shape coffee table features ceramic tiles decorated with leaves, with a constructivist base in oak. The base is separate from the round top which sits ne...
Ceramic, Wood
$939Sale Price|42% Off
H 15.75 in Dm 28.15 in
French Round Coffee Table with Ceramics in the Capron style
By Roger Capron
Located in Labrit, Landes
Round coffee table with faience top signed Leduc and made in Vallauris. This table is made is the style of the "Garrigue" serie from Roger Capron. The tiles represent flowers like da...
Faience, Wood
$4,640Sale Price|20% Off
H 16 in Dm 35 in
Roger Capron - Round Ceramic Coffee Table with Herbier tiles on Metal Frame
By Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
Round coffee table with the famous Roger Capron Herbier tiles, designed from 1968 to 1982. The handcrafted Herbier tiles were a subset of the Garrigue tiles produced by a technique...
Metal
Round Bosque Coffee Table by Lawson-Fenning
By Lawson-Fenning
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The same table thinking, rounded. Solid wood base, rounded legs, inset top in leather, wood, or stone. The round form softens what the proportions otherwise make substantial. Availa...
Marble
Charming Herbier Coffee Table by Roger Capron
By Roger Capron
Located in NICE, FR
Roger Capron's (1922-2006) herbarium coffee table is a mid-20th-century design piece, characterized by a ceramic tile top adorned with plant-inspired or abstract motifs. Hand made in...
Ceramic, Wood
$6,500
H 12.75 in Dm 42 in
Roger Capron French Ceramic Oval Coffee Table with Garrigue Leaf Decorations
By Roger Capron
Located in Chicago, IL
Roger Capron ceramic coffee table with impressed leaf decorations. The leaves are from the surrounding woods and gardens of Vallauris where Capron had his studio. The unglazed stone...
Wood, Ceramic
Roger Capron French Mid-Century Ceramic and Oak Sunburst Coffee Table
By Roger Capron
Located in Queens, NY
French Mid-Century (1960s) round coffee table with a stained four leg oak frame and stretcher supporting a beige ceramic sunburst design tile top with leaf decoration. (signed: ROGER...
Ceramic, Oak
Round Nutwood Coffee Table by William Watting
By William Watting
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Denmark Designer: William Watting Manufacturer: Unknown Era: 1950s Materials: Nutwood, Beech Measurements: 38.75″ diameter x 22.25″ tall Condition: In excellent original con...
Beech, Nutwood
Saarinen Tulip Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Round Saarinen Tulip Table. White marble top with soft bevel to underside edge, 1970s.
Marble, Metal
Italian Coffee Table by Willy Rizzo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Amazing Coffee Table, in black lacquer and stainless steel. Italy, 1970s, by Willy Rizzo
Stainless Steel
Pierre Jeanneret PJ-TB-05-A Coffee Table, Chandigarh, 1950s
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pierre Jeanneret PJ-TB-05-A Coffee table from Chandigarh, India, circa 1950. Teak and glass. Provenance: Chandigarh, India Private Collection Literature: Le Corbusier Pierre ...
Glass, Teak
Eero Saarinen by Knoll Side Table
By Eero Saarinen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Eero Saarinen Tulip Side Table by Knoll, 1957. Marble top with enameled metal base, label on underside.
Marble, Metal
Gae Aulenti 'Jumbo' Carrara Marble Coffee Table, Italy, 1970S
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Iconic "Jumbo" coffee table by Gae Aulenti. All marble with square tabletop that is supported by four cylindrical legs, very elegant and minimalist design.
Marble
Eero Saarinen Marble Top 'Tulip' Side Table
By Eero Saarinen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Eero Saarinen Marble Top 'Tulip' Side Table. Underside of top stamped Made in Italy; underside of base with rectangular Knoll: Park Avenue sticker ...
Marble, Metal
