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.
Coffee table designed by Roger Capron
By Roger Capron
Located in Charmes, FR
Coffee table designed by Roger Capron, featuring herbarium motifs with a ceramic tile top and wooden base in good condition
Ceramic
$10,500
H 11.75 in W 37.5 in D 17.25 in
Roger Capron Garrigue Coffee Table with Textured Tile, Vallauris c. 1960's
By Roger Capron
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stamped Roger Capron Garrigue rectangular coffee table, France, circa 1960s. A richly textured ceramic tile top is composed of warm, earthy glazes with subtle tonal variation, lendin...
Metal
$12,500
H 11.75 in W 43.25 in D 18.75 in
Stamped Roger Capron Garrigue Coffee Table with Textured Tile c. 1960's
By Roger Capron
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stamped Roger Capron Garrigue rectangular coffee table, France, circa 1960s. The textured ceramic tile top features a rich palette of warm, earthy glazes with subtle tonal variation,...
Metal
$4,800
H 13.5 in W 46.25 in D 17 in
Roger Capron “Garrigue” Rectangular Coffee Table, Ceramic Tile Top, France 1970
By Roger Capron
Located in Miami, FL
Rectangular coffee table with the famous Roger Capron Garrigue tiles, designed from 1968 to 1982. The handcrafted Garrigue tiles were produced by a technique in which real leaves w...
Ceramic, Fruitwood
Roger Capron, Low Coffee Table, Tile, Stained Wood, France, 1970s
By Roger Capron
Located in Stamford, CT
Roger Capron, French Mid-Century Modern, Guarrigue Low Coffee Table, Floral Tiles, Stained Wood, France, 1970s French modernist rectangular waterfall coffee or cocktail table design...
Ceramic
$4,670
H 13.78 in W 46.46 in D 22.84 in
Roger Capron “Garrigue” Ceramic Tile Coffee Table, France, 1960s
By Roger Capron
Located in Almelo, NL
Roger Capron “Garrigue” Ceramic Tile Coffee Table, France, 1960s This refined coffee table was designed by Roger Capron in France during the 1960s and belongs to his iconic Garrigue...
Ceramic, Beech
$5,169
H 13.78 in W 46.46 in D 23.23 in
Roger Capron Garrigue Herbier Coffee Table, Vallauris, circa 1970
By Roger Capron
Located in Antwerp, BE
A ceramic tile coffee table by Roger Capron, Vallauris, France, circa late 1960s to early 1970s. This table belongs to Capron's well-known Garrigue/Herbier group of ceramic furnitur...
Ceramic, Wood
$3,400
H 14.18 in W 46.46 in D 19.1 in
Midcentury "Herbier" Coffee Table by Roger Capron, 1960's Vallauris France
By Roger Capron
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Art Pottery Studio "Les Herbier" Ceramic Coffee Table by Roger Capron. Made in Vallauris, France, 1960's period. Signed on the right lower corner. Ceramic handmade tile top w...
Ceramic, Beech
Roger Capron, Coffee Table, Wood, Ceramic, France, 1960s
By Roger Capron
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and beige ceramic tile coffee table designed and produced by Roger Capron, France, c. 1960s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 10.75"H x 51.625"W x 24.5"D All items ship from Hig...
Ceramic, Wood
Roger Capron ceramic and wood coffee table
By Roger Capron
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Mid-Century Ceramic Coffee Table by Roger Capron, circa 1960 A stunning coffee table by the renowned French master ceramicist Roger Capron. This piece features a tabletop composed of...
Ceramic, Wood
Roger Capron - XLarge Coffee Table with Garrigue Tiles on Wood Frame, 1970s
By Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
Very large coffee table with the famous Roger Capron Garrigue tiles, designed from 1968 to 1982. The handcrafted Garrigue tiles were produced by a technique in which real leaves ...
Ceramic, Wood
Roger Capron - End Table, Garrigue + Brown Ceramic Tiles, Dovetail Metal Frame
By Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
*** Important detail: custom height available (1)*** Square end table with the famous Roger Capron Garrigue tiles, designed from 1968 to 1982. Mr. Capron was often balancing his designs by incorporating either brown or white enameled terra cotta tiles. The handcrafted Garrigue tiles are produced by a technique in which real leaves were pressed into the clay and, during firing, disintegrated, leaving a finely detailed imprint. The leaves come from "La Garrigue", a variety of vegetation indigenous to southeastern France only, where Roger Capron lived and worked for 60 years. These Garrigue tiles inspired a large series of side to dining tables, including wall covering. Many kitchen in the French Riviera have their walls covered with Garrigue tiles. This table is mounted on a really sturdy dovetail metal frame. It is in near perfect condition, patina due to age on metal frame. (1) Mr Capron was extremely influenced by the Japanese life style; coffee table are usually low. We can change the legs to match your desired height. Please keep in mind that we provide this service only for the tables that have a dovetail frame and for which the frames have a similar look with the replacement legs...
Metal
Gueridon Coffee Table with Colorful Ceramic Tiles by Roger Capron
By Roger Capron, Guéridon Design
Located in Stratford, CT
This coffee table is made with colorful ceramic tiles made in the 1970's by Roger Capron, one of the most well-known ceramist of the Modern era. The smaller tiles are the "planètes"...
Metal
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
Gueridon Coffee Table with"Planètes" from the Red Series by Roger Capron
By Roger Capron, Guéridon Design
Located in Stratford, CT
This coffee table is made with colorful ceramic tiles made in the 1970's by Roger Capron, one of the most well-known ceramist of the Modern era. The smaller tiles are the "planètes"...
Metal
Roger Capron - Round Ceramic Coffee Table with Herbier tiles on Wood 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
