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 - Vintage Ceramic Roe Flask
By Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
Vintage ceramic decorative flask signed by Roger Capron - Vallauris, France Roger Capron was in influential French ceramicist, known for his tiled tables and his use of recurring mo...
Ceramic
Roger Capron - Vintage Ceramic Gin Flask
By Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
Vintage ceramic decorative flask signed by Roger Capron - Vallauris, France Roger Capron was in influential French ceramicist, known for his tiled tables and his use of recurring mo...
Ceramic
Roger Capron - Vintage Ceramic Gin Flask
By Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
Vintage ceramic decorative flask signed by Roger Capron - Vallauris, France Roger Capron was in influential French ceramicist, known for his tiled tables and his use of recurring mo...
Ceramic
Roger Capron - Vintage Ceramic Decanter with Abstract Motive
By Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
Vintage ceramic decorative flask signed by Roger Capron - Vallauris, France Roger Capron was in influential French ceramicist, known for his tiled tables and his use of recurring mo...
Ceramic
Roger Capron - Vintage Ceramic Whisky Flask
By Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
Vintage ceramic decorative flask signed by Roger Capron - Vallauris, France Roger Capron was in influential French ceramicist, known for his tiled tables and his use of recurring mo...
Ceramic
Roger Capron - Vintage Ceramic Fine Decanter
By Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
Vintage ceramic decorative flask signed by Roger Capron - Vallauris, France Roger Capron was in influential French ceramicist, known for his tiled tables and his use of recurring mo...
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
Roger Capron bottle
By Roger Capron
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Bouteille tripode par Roger Capron à décor figuratif.
Ceramic
Roger Capron Whisky Flask
By Roger Capron
Located in Henley-on Thames, Oxfordshire
Roger Capron anthropomorphic shaped ceramic whisky bottle in pyjama stripes. Signed to the underside “Capron Vallauris 39A” Vallauris France, circa 1950 Roger Capron was born in Vincennes, France on September 4, 1922. Interested in drawing, he studied Applied Arts in Paris from 1939 to 1943 and worked as an art teacher in 1945. In 1946, Roger Capron moved to Vallauris, where he founded a ceramics workshop known as 'l`Atelier Callis', along with Robert Picault and Jean Derval he began his contribution to the renaissance of ceramics in Vallauris. In 1952, Capron purchased an abandoned pottery in Vallauris and opened a small ceramics...
Ceramic
Mid Century Ceramic Pottery Bottle Decanter
By Fantoni
Located in Miami, FL
A striking studio pottery bottle vase with stopper, showcasing a tall, slender form and rich, layered glaze work. The surface features horizontal bands of mottled blue, soft celadon ...
Pottery
Ceramic Bottle with Stopper by Guido Gambone
By Guido Gambone
Located in New York, NY
Stoneware. Bottle and stopper decorated with beige background. Green and brown linear decoration throughout. Similar bottle available with a yellow geometric pattern.
Ceramic, Stoneware
Ceramic Pitcher Vase "Cassis" Roger Capron from the 60's, G504
By Roger Capron
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
High pitcher or ceramic vase of Roger Capron from the 60s from Vallauris. Enameling in shades of light gray, black, green. Nice geometric decoration on the vase. Very nice vintage co...
Ceramic
