Roger Capron (1922-2006) Large Coffee Table

Important coffee table from the 50s-60s signed CAPRON (Roger Capron 1922-2006) presenting an elegant geometric decoration composed of 48 rectangular tiles in black granite ceramic and polychrome enameled orange, begaras and white with a calissons pattern. The whole resting on a black lacquered metal base. Model listed titled "Navette". Perfect condition, dimensions: 1.22 m long x 41 cm wide x 38 cm high. Bibliography of the "Navette" model: - Vallauris, the workshop town, 1938-1962, a ceramic adventure, Ed. Silvana Editoriale, 2021, model listed on p. 70 - Pierre Staudenmeyer, Roger Capron, Ceramist, Ed. Norma, 2003 tile panel listed on p. 85 The French ceramist Roger Capron was born in Vincennes in 1922. He studied at the School of Applied Arts in Paris from where he graduated in 1943 and worked for a time as a teacher. In 1946, Roger Capron moved in Vallauris in the south of France and founded the ceramic workshop “Atelier Callis” with the ceramists Robert Picault (1919-2000) and Jean Derval (1925-2010).Located along the Côte d'Azur, the town de Vallauris is renowned for its production of pottery dating from Roman times. During the post-war period, the city experienced a renaissance of this craft, as many artists (like Picasso) arrived here to work with old materials and techniques. Atelier Callis began to produce small objects for the home , deliberately modest and designed for everyday use. The wind of popularity blowing across French ceramics at this time gave Roger Capron the opportunity to expand his business. In 1952, he separated from Robert Picault and Jean Derval and opened his own small factory, Atelier Capron, which employed around fifty workers. A few years later, Roger Capron's reputation was established internationally and his pieces could be found on the shelves of department stores like Saks Fifth Avenue and Gimbels. In 1980, his factory employed around 120 people and specialized in tiled coffee tables, which made Roger Capron famous today. His success attracted imitators and in 1982 the factory had to close due to the competitiveness of producers of mass and cheap tiles. Like Picasso, Roger Capron's design aesthetic is constantly evolving, while he worked in different styles from the 1950s. At the start of his career, Capron was a supporter of the Free Form movement, characterized by undulating lines and expressionist patterns. From the 1960s, he evolved towards a more controlled, modernist, with glossy varnishes and showy geometric patterns. But over time, Roger Capron's work, which extends from coffee and side tables to carafes and vases, is considered cliché in France and he falls into oblivion. However, today his pieces are once again highly esteemed by collectors around the world. Roger Capron received numerous awards during his career including the gold medal at the Milan Triennale and Expo '58 in Brussels. In 2000, the New York Times wrote that Capron was “one of the most prolific and important artisans of postwar European design.” He died in 2006.