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.
Roger Capron Zodiac Charm Libra, Stamped Porcelain, Vallauris, 1973
By Roger Capron
Located in St Ouen, FR
Thin sheet of partially glazed stamped porcelain with the motif of a female figure embodying the Libra sign. Rare item from a limited series created by the artist in 1973 around the...
Porcelain
Roger Capron Zodiac Charm Lion, Stamped Porcelain, France, 1973
By Roger Capron
Located in St Ouen, FR
Thin sheet of partially glazed stamped porcelain with the motif of a female figure embodying the sign of Lion. Rare item from a limited series created by the artist in 1973 around t...
Porcelain
Roger Capron Zodiac Charm Virgo, Stamped Porcelain, France, 1973
By Roger Capron
Located in St Ouen, FR
Thin sheet of partially glazed stamped porcelain with the motif of a female figure embodying the Virgo sign. Rare item from a limited series created by the artist in 1973 around the...
Porcelain
Roger Capron Zodiac Charm Aries, Stamped Porcelain, France, 1973
By Roger Capron
Located in St Ouen, FR
Thin sheet of partially glazed stamped porcelain with the motif of a female figure embodying the Aries sign. Rare item from a limited series created by the artist in 1973 around the...
Porcelain
Roger Capron - Glazed Ceramic Humidor
By Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
Molded Ceramic Humidor with "Tabac" and Patterned Stamped Designs; Moss-colored Glazed Ceramic Finish with Original Natural Cork Stopper.
Ceramic
Roger Capron - Glazed Ceramic Humidor
By Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
Molded Ceramic Humidor with "Tabac" and Patterned Stamped Designs; Moss-colored Glazed Ceramic Finish with Original Natural Cork Stopper.
Ceramic
Large Ceramic Medallion, Jacotte et Roger Capron, Vallauris c. 2000
By Roger Capron, Jacotte Capron
Located in St Ouen, FR
A collaborative creation full of gentleness and poetry by the famous couple of ceramists, revisiting the theme of embracing faces, emblematic of their work. The clay is worked here i...
Ceramic
Roger Capron Zodiac Charm Aquarius, Stamped Porcelain, France, 1973
By Roger Capron
Located in St Ouen, FR
Thin sheet of partially glazed stamped porcelain with the motif of a female figure embodying the Aries sign. Rare item from a limited series created by the artist in 1973 around the...
Porcelain
Roger Capron Zodiac Charm Scorpio, Stamped Porcelain, Vallauris, 1973
By Roger Capron
Located in St Ouen, FR
Thin sheet of partially glazed stamped porcelain with the motif of a chimera figure embodying the Scorpio sign. Rare item from a limited series created by the artist in 1973 around ...
Porcelain
Roger Capron Zodiac Charm, Stamped Porcelain Capricorn, Vallauris 1973
By Roger Capron
Located in St Ouen, FR
Thin sheet of partially glazed stamped porcelain with the motif of a chimera embodying the Capricorn sign. Rare item from a limited series created by the artist in 1973 around the z...
Porcelain
Roger Capron Zodiac Charm Taurus, Stamped Porcelain, Vallauris 1973
By Roger Capron
Located in St Ouen, FR
Thin sheet of partially glazed stamped porcelain with the motif of a female figure embodying the Taurus sign. Rare item from a limited series created by the artist in 1973 around th...
Porcelain
Roger Capron Zodiac Charm Sagittarius, Stamped Porcelain, 1973
By Roger Capron
Located in St Ouen, FR
Thin sheet of partially glazed stamped porcelain with the motif of a female figure embodying the Sagittarius sign. Rare item from a limited series created by the artist in 1973 arou...
Porcelain
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
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
$694
H 7.09 in W 12.6 in D 0.12 in
Decorative Antique Celestial Map – Zodiac, Stars & Hemel Globe, 1720
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique Celestial Map – Hemel Globe, Zodiac & Constellations by Halma, 1720 This striking double-hemisphere celestial chart, titled Hemel G...
Paper
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
$1,937
H 21.26 in W 24.41 in D 0.01 in
Baroque Solar System & Zodiac Map – Homann Doppelmayr, Hand Colored c.1742
Located in Langweer, NL
Baroque Solar System & Zodiac Map – Homann Doppelmayr, Hand Colored c.1742 This impressive celestial engraving depicts the Copernican heliocentric solar system and is titled “Sy...
Paper
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
Vintage Boho Stamped Croc Mahjong Set
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This vintage Mahjong set is housed in a sophisticated carrying case that perfectly captures the glamour of mid-century social entertaining. The case is finished in a deep espresso fa...
Brass
Framed Richard Nixon & Spiro Agnew Watergate Letters 1973
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Hand-typed letters between "Jim Harper" of California and the 37th president of the United States, Richard Nixon, and Vice President Spiro Agnew. It featur...
Glass, Wood
"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
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
$950 / item
H 1.25 in W 7.25 in D 0.19 in
Rare 1940's Early EPPY Novelty Cigarette Pack Smoking Charm Bracelet w/ 8 Charms
Located in Red Lion, PA
Extremely Rare 1940s Early EPPY Novelty Miniature Cigarette Pack Smoking Charm Bracelet, Complete Set of 8 Charms An exceptionally rare and highly collectible 1940s early EPPY Nove...
Metal
" 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
Roger Capron, Zodiac Charm Taurus, Vallauris 1973
By Roger Capron
Located in St Ouen, FR
Thin sheet of partially glazed stamped porcelain with the motif of a female figure embodying the sign of Taurus. Rare item from a limited series created by the artist in 1973 around...
Porcelain
Roger Capron Zodiac Charm Cancer, Stamped Porcelain, France, 1973
By Roger Capron
Located in St Ouen, FR
Thin sheet of partially glazed stamped porcelain with the motif of a chimeric figure embodying the sign of Cancer. Rare item from a limited series created by the artist in 1973 arou...
Porcelain
Zodiac Charm, Pisces, Roger Capron, Vallauris 1973
By Roger Capron
Located in St Ouen, FR
Thin sheet of partially glazed stamped porcelain with the motif of a chimerical figure embodying the Pisces sign. Rare item from a limited series created by the artist in 1973 aroun...
Porcelain
Roger Capron, Zodiac Charm Aries, Vallauris 1973
By Roger Capron
Located in St Ouen, FR
Thin sheet of partially glazed stamped porcelain with the motif of a female figure embodying the sign of Aries. Rare item from a limited series created by the artist in 1973 around ...
Porcelain
Sold
H 25.99 in W 16.54 in D 8.27 in
Side Table, by Roger Capron, "Navette", in Ceramic and Metal, France, 1960
By Roger Capron
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This table is a side table, i, ceramic. With some of the most appreciated ceramic pattern, called "Navette".This table has four feet in black painted metal, and a space dedicated for...
Metal
1960s Roger Capron Enameled Earthenware Table Lamp
By Roger Capron
Located in Paris, FR
Square earthenware lamp with incised figural decoration and enameled rough ceramic texture. Signed on back "Capron Vallauris France." New fabric sha...
Ceramic
Twelve Roger Capron Tiles
By Roger Capron
Located in New York, NY
Twelve tiles with geometric patterns and colorful glazes by French ceramist Roger Capron, produced c. 1990. Each measures 8" square (a shade under, allowing for grout). Can be made ...
Stoneware
Roger Capron Vallauris Tall Striped Pitcher
By Roger Capron
Located in Troy, MI
Very tall pitcher / vase with handle by Roger Capron from his Vallauris studio circa 1940s. SIgned by the artist on the bottom. We have several Capron pieces in similar colors / styl...