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Claude Victor Boeltz Furniture

French

Each Claude Victor Boeltz piece is glamorous yet retains a richly organic feel that adds a touch of bold sophistication to any interior. This French Surrealist designer popularized a technique he called “exploded bronze” — a process that has the metal components of a given piece appear as if they were liquified and then crystalized after an explosion. 

Boeltz was born in Paris in 1937. There were several artists in his family, and Boeltz quickly developed creative interests at an early age. He fell in love with painting, architecture, ceramics and more, but was also intrigued by scientific fields such as geology and anatomy.

Boeltz studied under the sculptor Henri Molins and apprenticed at the Susse Frères and Houdot foundries. Additionally, he enrolled in classes in the evenings at the Boulle School in Paris and the Paris Academy of Art. He frequented museums and found much to appreciate in the work of artists such as Alberto Giacometti, Demetre Chiparus, Salvador Dalí, and Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann.

After moving to the French Riviera, Boeltz became personally acquainted with Pablo Picasso. He worked for a period with Picasso, and in the mid-1960s, he established a foundry in the Loire Valley. By the late 1960s, his work was being noticed around Europe (his works were sold by the likes of Cartier). His turning point came in the early 1970s when he met the sculptor César Baldaccini, whose “compression” pieces inspired Boeltz to experiment with abandon, and his “exploded bronze” technique was born.

Boeltz’s Hollywood Regency-style furnishings — mirrors, candlesticks, picture frames, lamps and even ceiling fixtures — were made with this new process. The designer then worked to decorate these “exploded” pieces with semi-precious stones — often African emeralds — or other luminous materials such as quartz and Murano glass. He subsequently opened two foundries to produce these kinds of works. 

In the early 1980s, Boeltz moved his facilities to the United States. He built a large foundry in Nevada, and today, Las Vegas hotels now house many of his works. His collectors have also included Salvador Dalí, Baron Rothschild and others.

On 1stDibs, find Claude Victor Boeltz decorative items, lighting, serveware and more.

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Creator: Claude Victor Boeltz
Dealer: Kerson Gallery
Pair of Horse Claude Victor Boeltz 1980 Gold Bronze Crystal French Table Lamps
By Claude Victor Boeltz
Located in New York, NY
A luxurious gold dore bronze and rock crystal horse table lamps. The gold bronze sculptures are on polished brass bases and they have complimentary ...
Category

1980s French Post-Modern Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Furniture

Materials

Rock Crystal, Gold, Bronze, Brass

Claude Victor Boeltz Golden Crystal French 1970s Table Sculpture
By Claude Victor Boeltz
Located in New York, NY
A French 1970s Gold and bronze clam shell center peice sculpture with three large quartz and amethyst crystal clusters. Signed Biography: Claude Boeltz was born in Paris in 1937. The fourth generation in a line of artists, from his early childhood Boeltz was interested in disciplines as far ranging as sculpture, painting, ceramics, architecture, and blacksmithing. From the very start he was fascinated by what would become life long inspirations—anatomy and geology. His first apprenticeship was with the sculptor Henri Molins, which was followed by apprenticeships at the prominent Susse and Houdot foundries. His last was with Soudoun, under whose tutelage he was honored with the national “Best Worker in France” award. During these apprenticeships Boeltz took night classes at the Boule School, the Gambetta School, and at the Academy of Art in Paris. He would eventually take degrees from all three. On Sundays he went to museums, particularly the Louvre, where he sought out work in the Louis XIII - Louis XVI styles. He also spent long hours in study of the many artists he admired, such as Bersus, Meunier, Giacometti, Ponpon, Chipparus, Dali, Dajou, and Ruhlman. After these apprenticeships he tried to establish himself in the Riviera, where he befriended, and briefly collaborated with Picasso. Boeltz’s time in this vibrant community was, however, cut short—in the early 1960s he was called into the French military. While on tour in the Sahara he carved miniatures, and would carry them in his baggage from base to base. One that survived—a replica of the Arc d’triumph—was later offered to President Eisenhower on behalf of the French Army. Upon leaving the service Boeltz established a foundry in the Loire, and by the late 1960s his work, now enormously popular, was shown all over Europe. In the early 1970s he met the sculptor Cesar. The famous sculptor’s “compression” pieces inspired Boeltz to create the work for which he would soon become best known. Boeltz’s “exploded” bronze works were pieces plated with 24 karat gold made to look like liquid gold crystalized an instant after explosion. Boeltz augmented this unique medium with vibrant details, often with African emeralds, but with other stones or unusual materials as well. In his famous Cleopatra, dedicated to Elizabeth Taylor and installed in Georve V hotel in Paris, the artist employed metacrylite as a base and for its veil. The immediate success of these “exploded” works allowed Boeltz to build two foundries devoted largely to their creation, one in the Faubourg St. Honore’ in Paris, and the other in Fontenay Sous Bois. “Exploded” works from the foundries were presented and sold at Fred’s Jewelers...
Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Furniture

Materials

Rock Crystal, Gold, Bronze

Claude Victor Boeltz French 1970s Gold Bronze Crystal Amethyst Picture Frame
By Claude Victor Boeltz
Located in New York, NY
A French 1970s sculptural bronze gold dipped frame with three large crystal clusters by the artist, Claude Victor Boeltz. The frame can be arranged horizo...
Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Bronze, Gold

Claude Victor Boeltz French Gold Bronze Dish Sculpture
By Claude Victor Boeltz
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful 1970s exploding 24-karat gold bronze sculpture dish with two large quartz clusters by French artist, Claude Victor Boeltz. Signed. A m...
Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Gold Plate, Bronze

Claude Victor Boeltz French Golden Bronze Quartz Table Sculpture, 1970
By Claude Victor Boeltz
Located in New York, NY
A unique 1970s French Dore/Golden bronze sculpture with a large amethyst and quartz clusters and oyster shell. Biography: Claude Victor Boeltz, the European surrealist master artist was born in Paris, France in 1937. ... This gorgeous centerpiece is one of the artist's gold-plated "exploded-bronze" pieces, made famous in the early 1970s, and carried by such luxury retailers as Fred Joaillier...
Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Gold, Bronze

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Claude Victor Boeltz furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Claude Victor Boeltz furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Claude Victor Boeltz furniture, although gold editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Claude Victor Boeltz were created in the modern style in france during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Romeo Paris, Philippe Barbier, and Jean Boris Lacroix. Prices for Claude Victor Boeltz furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,235 and can go as high as $34,975, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $8,475.

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