Gaston Suisse lacquer panels: rating and value

If you own a work by Gaston Suisse or after the artist, and would like to know its value, our state-approved experts and auctioneers will offer you their 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'd like to sell your work, we'll guide you towards the best possible arrangement to obtain the optimum price.

Rating and value of the artist Gaston Suisse

Gaston Suisse leaves behind a unique body of work, he revolutionized French Art Deco furniture. His works are now fetching unprecedented prices under the auctioneer's hammer. His works are particularly prized by Italian and American buyers. The price at which they sell on the art market ranges from €60 to €190,000, a considerable gap but one that says a great deal about the value that can be attributed to Gaston Suisse's works. In 2013, a lacquered wood panel sold for €23,000. It depicted antelopes, the animal subject being very present in his works.

Order of value from a simple work to the most prestigious

Style and technique by artist Gaston Suisse

Gaston Suisse himself belongs to the Art Deco movement, which he represents wonderfully on all fronts, from the motifs to the materials used. He works mainly with lacquered and decorated wood, which is his trademark. The majority of his production consists of lacquer panels.

Gaston Suisse, founder of Art Deco furniture

Gaston Suisse (1896-1998), was born in Paris. His father, Georges Suisse, was a great book collector. He was an early reader of his books on art, particularly those on Japanese and Chinese art. This influence can be seen in his work: his choice of animal themes and his work with lacquered wood.

He became friends with Paul Jouve at the age of 15, who helped train him and influenced his art.

He entered the Ecole Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs and chose the specialty of lacquering. As early as 1914, he won a medal for a piece of furniture made in Chinese lacquer - he was only 18 at the time, and had a promising career ahead of him.

Mobilized at Verdun, he was forced to take a temporary break from his work. He then completed his studies and learned the techniques of gilding and oxidation on metals. He perfected the technique of using bleak scales.

His talent was recognized early on, and like Vasilev Slavik, he was called upon to decorate public places, hotels, boats... In fact, he worked with him at Galeries Lafayette. He decorated the Alhambra in Algiers and traveled all over the Maghreb. He was fascinated by the animals of this region, and brought back drawings that became furniture decorations. Like Édouard Marcel Sandoz, he was fascinated by fennecs, which featured prominently in their works. He also created lacquered wood chests for Hermès.

His career was also to be hampered by the Second World War, when he was drafted once again. He surrendered his weapons and managed to escape to the Free Zone. After the Liberation, he resumed his career until the end of his life.

Lacquer panels

Gaston Suisse is a specialist in lacquer work, and creates several objects using this technique. The above-mentioned boxes for Hermès, as well as Chinese lacquer boxes and numerous panels, are often found on the auction market, and are very popular with collectors and Art Deco enthusiasts alike.

Gaston Suisse's imprint 

Gaston Suisse marked his era with the novelty he brought. He was the founder of what is now known as Art Deco, revitalizing classic furniture with stylistic ornamentation and Haute Epoque materials such as Chinese lacquer. He produced a considerable body of work. His value peaked twenty years ago, but he is still a sought-after artist on the auction market.

Recognizing the artist's signature

Not all of Gaston Suisse's works are signed. This is why, if you think you own a work by or after the artist, it is essential to have it appraised by an expert who will be able to authenticate it.

Knowing the value of a work

If you happen to own a work by or after Gaston Suisse, don't hesitate to request a free appraisal using the form on our website. A member of our team of experts and certified auctioneers will contact you promptly to provide you with an estimate of the market value of your work, as well as ad hoc information about it. If you wish to sell your work, you will also be accompanied by our specialists in order to benefit from alternatives to sell it at the best possible price, taking into account the inclinations of the market.