Ceramic Wall Clock by Roger Capron 1970s - 12½" x 7½"

With its graphic charm and architectural whimsy, this small ceramic clock by Roger Capron offers a charming fusion of functional design and artistic expression. Created in the 1970s, it bears the signature of Capron, one of the most influential figures of postwar French ceramics. Capron (1922–2006) was a central force in the revival of ceramic arts in Vallauris, where he developed a bold visual language blending modernist geometry with folkloric motifs.

Among his many explorations, he also designed a number of clocks, often integrating his signature stamped decorations and playful architectural references, making them both decorative and practical. The clock’s surface is richly textured using a stamped matrix technique, depicting the façade of a classical building flanked by urns and sculpted topiaries. At its center, a stylized face of Marianne, emblem of the French Republic, graces the pediment, suggesting a public institution such as a town hall or civic building. The Roman numeral dial is set within a domed arch and features its original metal hands and mechanism, which remains in working condition (battery to be replaced).

The warm, terracotta-toned glaze is typical of Capron’s Mediterranean palette and his taste for tactile, illustrative ceramics. Ideal for a hallway, kitchen, or creative corner, this piece brings a warm Provençal spirit into the home along with a subtle touch of humor. It serves not only as a functional timepiece but as a distinctive decorative accent that bridges mid-century French design with the narrative charm of regional craft.