Rating and value of works, sculptures and furniture by Lucien Burquier

If you own a work by or after Lucien Burquier, known as Polyte Solet, and would like to know its value, our state-approved experts and auctioneers will be happy to offer you their expert appraisal services.

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.

Rating and value of Lucien Burquier's works     

Lucien Burquier produced unique sculptures and furniture. Nowadays, prices for these creations can rise considerably under the auctioneer's hammer. His sculptures are particularly prized by buyers from all over the world.

The price at which they sell on the art market ranges from €200 to €1,500 at the moment, a considerable difference but one that says a lot about the value that can be attributed to Lucien Burquier's works.

In 2024, a suite of six wooden chairs dating from 2001 sold for €1,500, originally estimated at €1,500 to €3,000.

Order of value from the most basic to the most prestigious

Lucien Burquier's style and technique

Lucien Burquier's style is distinguished by an innovative approach and a relentless pursuit of fluidity.

From the outset, he chose to explore organic forms and motifs inspired by nature, fusing tradition with contemporary elements.

His artistic vision drives him to create works that invite contemplation, while moving away from the rigidity of classical forms.

Burquier favors a variety of materials, particularly ceramics, which he manipulates with great mastery to reveal their intrinsic beauty. He sculpts with care, each piece the fruit of a dialogue between the material and the artist.

Her work highlights textures and nuances, giving it a tactile, sensory dimension.

Unlike many artists of his time, Burquier avoids ornamental overload, opting instead for compositions in which harmony is essential.

Every line is thought out, every curve becomes an invitation to explore the interactions between shapes and space. The artist questions the relationship between the object and its environment, creating a subtle balance between fullness and emptiness.

This reflection on space is at the heart of his creative process, which he pursues with patience and profound curiosity.

Burquier observes, experiments and hones his techniques to create works that exude an understated elegance, yet are rich in emotion.

Each sculpture tells a story, where apparent simplicity hides a complexity of feelings, testifying to a deep artistic commitment.

Lucien Burquier's career

Lucien Burquier, known as Polyte Solet, is a contemporary sculptor who works mainly in wood. His sculptures, often sold at auction, are characterized by their warmth and expressiveness.

He has also created a number of monumental works for public commissions. 

Lucien Burquier, born in Vienne in 1943, is a French sculptor who has established himself as a major figure in contemporary art in France.

From the outset, Burquier's style was both bold and refined, influenced by his personal experiences and reflections on nature.

His artistic career really began when he enrolled at the École des Beaux-Arts in Lyon, where he was trained by masters of traditional sculpture - an education that did not translate directly into his work, but which remained essential to his development.

However, it was his experience working with renowned artists that marked a decisive turning point. Under their influence, Burquier developed a fascination for textures and organic forms, elements that would become the hallmark of his creations.

After several years of apprenticeship, Burquier opened his own workshop, a space where he gave free rein to his creativity.

He soon moved away from academic canons to explore a more personal style, playing with the material to create sculptures of great elegance yet astonishing expressive power.

Wood is his material of choice, enabling him to create works that are both solid and light, in a constant search for harmony between man and nature. 

In 1980, he exhibited at the Salon d'Automne, where his work was hailed for its originality. From then on, Burquier began to explore more abstract compositions, while maintaining an intimate link with the human figure.

His sculptures, though stylized, continue to reflect a great sensitivity to line and light. 

Over the decades, he has asserted his singular style, characterized by a formal simplicity that in no way detracts from the emotional depth of his works.

Focus on Lucien Burquier's wooden pelican

Lucien Burquier's sculpture on display here testifies to his mastery of textures and his ability to breathe palpable emotion into the warmth of wood.

At first glance, this figure, standing in a welcoming posture, seems deeply in harmony with the space around him. However, beyond this serene appearance, Burquier succeeds in capturing a moment of human connection.

The body, though stylized, is imbued with a vitality that manifests itself in the character's open posture.

True to his style, Burquier chose organic lines, avoiding any overload of detail. The shapes are soft and the contours rounded, giving this figure an impression of natural elegance.

This economy of means is not an easy choice, but rather a quest for authenticity: the figure doesn't just represent a human body, it transcends simple materiality to evoke a warm presence.

The material, in this case wood, reinforces this impression of life. Burquier plays with the nuances and textures of the material to create plays of light and shadow, suggesting his subject's inner world, a universe of shared feelings.

This rich, tactile surface encourages the observer to linger and explore the subtleties that emerge from this apparent simplicity.

The delicately sculpted face expresses a touching interiority. Unlike other artists who might have sought to give a more explicit expression, Burquier leaves his character in a kind of abstraction, where one can read introspection as much as empathy.

This choice gives the sculpture a universal appeal, with each viewer projecting his or her own emotions onto it.

This work perfectly embodies Lucien Burquier's approach, which, far from excess, achieves a rare depth by focusing on the essence of form and human connection.

She illustrates her talent for transforming a familiar scene into a timeless reflection, where simplicity becomes synonymous with warmth and humanity.

Lucien Burquier's legacy

The success of Lucien Burquier's sculptures was evident from his very first exhibitions. His works, characterized by rich textures and organic forms, quickly attracted the attention of a discerning public.

Over the years, Burquier has perfected his approach while remaining true to his warm, expressive aesthetic.

Each new piece bears witness to this quest for authenticity, without ever straying from his characteristic technique. His sculptures, both robust and light, captivate with their elegance and mastery of volume.

His work follows in the artistic vein of other equally renowned sculptors, such as Armand Petersen, Gaston Le Bourgeois and Charlotte Perriand.

Lucien Burquier, however, is an even more versatile artist, who doesn't limit himself to creating fine art sculptures.

Some of his works are also designed with a utilitarian purpose in mind. This is the case for many of his creations, including lighting fixtures and furniture: for example, he has produced carved wooden chairs that combine comfort and aesthetics.

Today, Burquier is recognized as one of the most important contemporary sculptors of his time. His works are particularly prized by collectors, and although few of them appear at auction, they fetch high prices when they do.

Lucien Burquier's unique style and fine craftsmanship ensured him a place of choice in the world of modern art.

Recognizing Lucien Burquier's signature   

Lucien Burquier doesn't always sign his works. If you think you own one, it's best to have it appraised.

Appraising your property

If you own one of Lucien Burquier's works, don't hesitate 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 work.

If you are considering 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 work.