Value and quotation of works, ceramics by Roger Capron

If you own a work by or based on the artist Roger Capron and would like to know its value, our state-approved experts and auctioneers can help you.

Our specialists will carry out a free appraisal of your work, and provide you with a precise estimate of its current market value.

Then, if you want to sell your work, we'll point you in the right direction to get the best possible price for it. 

Artist's rating and value   

A key ceramist of the second half of the 20th century, Roger Capron is considered one of the most prolific and important craftsmen of post-war European design. 

On the art market, Roger Capron's works are highly prized, with prices ranging from €30 to €42,000.

Highly sought-after by collectors, some exceptional works by Capron can fetch tens of thousands of euros at auction. A case in point is his Claustra ceramic, which sold for €42,000 in 2022.

Order of value from the most basic to the most prestigious 

Roger Capron's style and technique

Roger Capron's style is characterized by elegant simplicity and harmony of form. From his earliest works, he favored soft lines and nature-inspired motifs such as flowers, leaves and arabesques, which he applied to stoneware and earthenware pieces.

His creations are marked by rounded curves and volumes that evoke fluidity and lightness. He uses a palette of warm colors, such as ochre, yellow and brown, reminiscent of the light and landscapes of the South of France.

Material texture is also central to his work: Capron plays with the contrast between smooth and rough surfaces, adding a tactile dimension to each piece.

In the 1950s, Roger Capron moved towards a more geometric style. The introduction of molding enabled him to produce series of pieces while retaining great attention to detail.

His creations become more structured, with square and rectangular shapes, but always in a quest for fluidity. He incorporates simple, uncluttered motifs, creating balanced compositions that combine functionality and aesthetics.

This period marks a turning point in his production, where the decorative aspect blends perfectly with the utilitarian.

From the 1960s onwards, Capron explored more modernist forms. He took a particular interest in architectural ceramics, creating decorative panels and furniture elements. His work became more refined, while remaining deeply rooted in a search for texture and volume.

He turns away from organic forms in favor of clean lines, geometric patterns and sober colors. His entire body of work bears witness to a constant quest for perfection, where the art of ceramics blends with modern design with great technical mastery.

The life of Roger Capron

Roger Capron was born in 1922 in Vincennes, Île-de-France. Quickly attracted to the arts, Capron became a student and then a teacher at the Ecole des Arts Appliqués et de l'Industrie in Paris. That same year, the young artist discovered ceramics.

Roger Capron soon developed a passion for ceramics, and decided to leave his teaching role to set up a ceramics workshop with Robert Picault and Jean Derval in the south of France.

"L'Atelier Callis" opened its doors in Vallauris in 1947, a propitious post-war period of great renewal for the small southern town.

The workshop's reputation quickly grew, attracting the attention of customers eager for novelty and craftsmanship.

At the start of his career, Roger Capron focused mainly on creating small items for everyday use.

Vases, plates, pitchers and decanters: his early works are marked by fluid curves and expressive, free-form motifs.

His spontaneous, colorful style appealed to an ever-widening clientele, who appreciated these objects that were as utilitarian as they were aesthetic.

Through these creations, Capron strives to capture the essence of the Mediterranean, playing with warm hues and raw textures inspired by the local landscape.

In the 1950s, Roger Capron took a turning point by leaving the "Atelier Callis" to acquire an old pottery factory.

He opened a small ceramics factory there, where he began to employ several workers to increase production.

He then developed a more structured style, moving towards molded pieces that reflect the spirit of the 1950s, with geometric shapes and clean lines.

This period was marked by a constant search for balance between traditional craftsmanship and industrial innovation.

The 1960s saw Roger Capron turn to a more modern, controlled design. He developed a passion for architectural ceramics and broadened his practice by integrating his creations into interior design projects.

His works, which range from wall panels to tables and decorative tiles, demonstrate a refined style and heightened technical precision.

Capron also develops ceramic furniture, with particular attention to the harmony between materials and shapes.

Throughout his career, Roger Capron received numerous awards in recognition of his talent. In 1980, he was awarded the Grand Prix International de la Céramique, in recognition of his major contribution to the world of ceramics.

Capron continued to work and innovate until his death in 2006, leaving behind a significant artistic legacy. His works, in public and private collections, continue to inspire and fascinate.

Today, Roger Capron is considered a key figure in twentieth-century design, his name intimately linked to the revival of French ceramics and Art Deco.

The collaboration between Capron and Vallauris

Roger Capron's collaboration with the town of Vallauris took place at a key moment in the post-war period, when this small town in the south of France became a major center for artistic ceramics.

Attracted by the creative effervescence of the region, Capron moved here in 1946 and played an active part in the revival of this traditional craft.

With the opening of the Callis workshop in 1947, founded alongside Robert Picault and Jean Derval, he helped restore Vallauris' dynamism, reinventing simple, accessible forms while highlighting local know-how.

Inspired by ancient techniques and locally available raw materials, he combines tradition and innovation, creating pieces that capture the spirit of the South.

This collaboration went far beyond the studio. Roger Capron is fully integrated into the artistic and cultural life of Vallauris, where he rubs shoulders with other emblematic figures such as Picasso. He takes part in collective projects to promote Vallauris ceramics nationally and internationally.

His creations, often marked by Mediterranean motifs and a palette of natural colors, became a symbol of the city's influence - just like those by Picasso.

Working alongside the local community, he is helping to transform Vallauris into a veritable laboratory of ideas, where craftsmanship and design intertwine to write a new page in the history of ceramics.

Roger Capron's legacy

Roger Capron's legacy makes a profound mark on his era, making ceramics part of an artistic and design approach accessible to all. Through his work, he reinvents craftsmanship by blending it with the modern trends of the XXᵉ century, reconciling functionality and aesthetics.

His creations, whether utilitarian ceramics, decorative pieces or architectural works, embody a distinctive style that reflects the Mediterranean spirit and post-war revival, as do the works of Jacques Pouchain or byAlice Colonieu.

Capron plays a key role in the international recognition of French ceramics, thanks in particular to its mass production, which democratizes this art form while preserving its artisanal quality and identity.

His influence extends beyond Vallauris and into the history of modern design, where he is recognized as one of the major players in the fusion of tradition and modernity.

The motifs and techniques he popularized continue to inspire contemporary designers and craftsmen, and his works remain timeless reminders of a time when art and everyday life came together with elegance and simplicity.

Recognizing a work by Roger Capron

Roger Capron's creations are distinguished by a distinctive style, blending organic forms and geometric motifs. Fluid lines and elegant curves reflect his quest for balance.

Capron's works are often decorated with abstract motifs, floral designs and depictions of nature.

Known for his great mastery of ceramics, the artist created some of his works by hand using molded or sculpted forms, and often used colored glazes.

His signature

Not all Roger Capron's works are signed.

Although there are variations, here's a first example of his signature:

Appraising your property  

If you own a work by Roger Capron, we invite you to request a free appraisal by filling in our online form.

A member of our team of experts and certified auctioneers will contact you to provide an estimate of the market value of your Capron work.  

If you're thinking of selling your work, our specialists will also guide you through the various alternatives available to obtain the best possible price, taking into account market trends and the specific features of each item.