François Roger

Ceramicist

Exotic lamps and vases

François is a third generation ceramicist
He designed ceramic lamps for hotel Relais Christine and Brasserie La Lorraine
His atelier Jean Roger is one of the oldest in Paris

Since its founding in 1947, atelier Jean Roger has become an integral part of the Parisian ceramic scene. Renowned for its animal vases and exotic fruit lamps, over the years Jean Roger has attracted the likes of Jacqueline Kennedy, Louboutin and Coco Chanel. Today, the atelier is managed by the founder’s grandson François Roger, who intends to bring the family’s ceramic savoir-faire into the 21st century. “We still respect the original techniques of the Jean Roger ceramics and maintain the identity of the workshop,” says François. In the atelier François likes to showcase both new designs and Jean Roger classics, such as the ceramic frogs, artichokes and pineapples that brought the atelier its original fame.

Interview

©Julien Panié

©Julien Panié

What is your training background?: Initially, I went to a hospitality school and later worked as a sommelier. But since my father Jean-Jacques Roger trained me in ceramic modelling, enamelling and charging, in 2008 I decided to follow my intuition and pursue ceramics.
Does your family’s legacy inspire you?: My family members were wine merchants from Lot-et-Garonne, so craftsmanship has always been very present in our family. At one point I felt that my family’s artisanal heritage, which had been dormant for years, was a treasure that needed to be revived.
How do you celebrate French craftmanship in your work?: Following my father and grandfather’s love and appreciation for French works of art, Jean Roger’s ceramics draw inspiration principally from French history and craftsmanship: from classicism and Versailles to 1960s art and even Strasbourg manufacturers.
What do people not know about your work?: How demanding it is, both physically and in terms of training. Very few people today are ready to train for 10 years or more. Many also do not understand the difficulty of making every piece with different glazes.

François Roger is an expert artisan: he began his career in 2008