Roger Capron, oval B16 ceramic bowl from Vallauris

An iconic oval cut by Roger Capron in Vallauris

Roger Capron (1922–2006) is one of the major figures in the post-war revival of ceramics in Vallauris. Trained at the École des Arts Appliqués in Paris, he settled in Vallauris in 1946 and founded the Callis workshop with Robert Picault, before establishing his own workshop in 1952. This oval bowl, model B16, belongs to this early creative period of the 1950s, when Capron developed an immediately recognizable graphic vocabulary. Signed "Capron Vallauris" on the base, it illustrates the dialogue between Provençal pottery tradition and mid-20th-century modernity.

The central, hand-painted decoration unfolds in an almost totemic vertical geometric composition: stylized forms outlined in black, flat areas of blue, pink, and olive green, punctuated by delicate antennae and dots. This abstract language, set on a matte white glaze, is characteristic of Capron's Vallauris cups from this period.

A Vallauris bowl enhanced with wicker

A distinctive feature of this piece is its arched wicker (woven rattan) handle, which runs the entire length of the bowl and is attached at each end. This combination of ceramic and natural materials, very popular in 1950s interiors, transforms the object into both a display piece and a decorative element. Its elongated oval shape, nearly 50 cm long, makes this Vallauris bowl particularly striking.

Technical characteristics

Made of glazed earthenware, the bowl features a white background and a polychrome decoration painted freehand. It measures 50 cm x 18 cm (19.7 x 7.1 in) and bears the handwritten signature Capron Vallauris and the model reference B16 under the base.

Conservation state

The bowl is in good used condition, consistent with its age (circa 1950). The hand-painted decoration is well preserved, and the original wicker handle is in place. There are a few minor signs of wear on the base, which do not detract from its overall appearance. A signed Capron Vallauris bowl, complete with its wicker handle and in this condition, remains rare on the market.

At The AuctionlabWe have a particular fondness for these Vallauris bowls from the early 1950s, when Roger Capron was still exploring, experimenting, and combining clay with wicker. The B16 model is a fine example: a bold graphic design, a generous shape, and that braided handle that betrays its era. Signed and complete pieces from this period are becoming increasingly rare, making them a wonderful entry point into Capron's work, both for collectors and enthusiasts of 20th-century design.

The team The Auctionlab