Skip to main content

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.

to
4
4
3
4
4
3
1
4
4
4
4
2
4
4
4
4
4
13
15
13
9
7
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 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

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

Related Items
Large Picture Frame, Italy 1970s
Located in London, GB
An elegant rectangular Italian Pictures Frame in wood and chrome, circa 1970s.
Category

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

Materials

Chrome

Large Picture Frame, Italy 1970s
Large Picture Frame, Italy 1970s
H 15.75 in W 11.82 in D 0.79 in
Gucci Vintage Picture Frame 1970s
By Gucci
Located in Munich, DE
Elegant Gucci picture frame made in silvered chrome and brass, designed in the typical Gucci stirrup design and marked with the Gucci on the back. Very good vintage condition.
Category

1970s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Furniture

Materials

Silver Plate, Brass

Gucci Vintage Picture Frame 1970s
Gucci Vintage Picture Frame 1970s
H 5.52 in W 5.52 in D 0.6 in
Vintage Small Italian Picture Frame, 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage small Italian picture frame made in Italy, 1970s.
Category

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

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Gabriella Crespi Unique Huge Tibetan Bull 1970s
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Munich, DE
Unique outstanding Tibetan bull designed by Gabriella Crespi in brushed metal in the 1970s. A wonderful single piece and signed on the bottom. Maybe it was a prototype.
Category

1970s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Furniture

Materials

Brass

Hand Carved Alabaster Horse Centrepiece Sculpture, Italy, 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Centerpiece in the shape of a horse in hand carved alabaster. Made in Italy, 1970s.
Category

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

Materials

Alabaster

Tommaso Barbi Picture Frame, Italy, 1970s
By Tommaso Barbi
Located in Greding, DE
Segmental picture frame with turned rim of white ceramic and stand of brass. Inscribed Tommaso Barbi on the back.
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

Tommaso Barbi Picture Frame, Italy, 1970s
Tommaso Barbi Picture Frame, Italy, 1970s
H 11.82 in W 14.77 in D 2.17 in
Abstract Bronze Sculpture by Victor Roman
By Victor Roman
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
Patinated bronze sculpture Signed and numbered 4/8.
Category

1970s French Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Abstract Bronze Sculpture by Victor Roman
Abstract Bronze Sculpture by Victor Roman
H 14.97 in W 14.18 in D 3.94 in
Italian 1970s Small Oval Nickel Bamboo Picture Frame
Located in Milan, IT
Italian 1970s Small Oval Nickel Bamboo Picture Frame
Category

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

Materials

Nickel

Tortoiseshell Lucite Picture Frame, 1970s
By Studio Italia Design
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stunning modernist picture photo frame was crafted in Italy in the 1970s. The piece features an "L"-shaped thick Lucite slab in a tortoiseshell (tortoise) textured pattern with ...
Category

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

Materials

Lucite, Plexiglass

Tortoiseshell Lucite Picture Frame, 1970s
Tortoiseshell Lucite Picture Frame, 1970s
H 10.5 in W 8.07 in D 2.75 in
Monique Gerber French Small Bronze Rock Form Vide Poche or Ashtray
By Monique Gerber
Located in Chicago, IL
French artist Monique Gerber vintage sculptural bronze abstract rock form vide poche or ashtray. Art du bronze. Patina is beautiful and shows its age. These bronze objects were often...
Category

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

Materials

Bronze

Bronze Sculpture by Victor Roman
By Victor Roman
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
Bronze sculpture by Victor Roman. Signed and numbered 2/8.
Category

1970s French Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Bronze Sculpture by Victor Roman
Bronze Sculpture by Victor Roman
H 15.75 in W 13.78 in D 3.55 in
Large Gilt Bronze and Dioptase Lamp Picture Frame by Boeltz, France, 1970s
By Claude Victor Boeltz
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Tall model of photo picture or drawing frame light lamp in gilt bronze and dioptase stone by the french artist Claude Victor Boeltz.
Category

1970s French Hollywood Regency Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Furniture

Materials

Quartz, Stone, Bronze

Previously Available Items
Pair of Gold Bronze 1970s French Claude Victor Boeltz Candle Holders
By Claude Victor Boeltz
Located in New York, NY
A luxurious pair of heavy gold dore bronze and rock crystal candle holders by French artist , Claude Victor Boeltz. Signed Biography: Claude Victor Boeltz, the European surrealis...
Category

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

Materials

Quartz, Gold, Bronze

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 Expoding Gold Bronze Centerpiece Sculpture Rock Quartz
By Claude Victor Boeltz
Located in New York, NY
A rare beautiful 1970s 24-karat gold bronze sculpture with a large quartz and amethyst clusters made by French artist, Claude Victor Boeltz. Signed. Biography: Claude Victor Boelt...
Category

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

Materials

Amethyst, Rock Crystal, Gold, Bronze

Claude Victor Boeltz Centrepiece
By Claude Victor Boeltz
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful sculptural 1980s gilded bronze and white quartz dining centrepiece tray by the French artist, Claude Victor Boeltz. Signed.
Category

1980s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Furniture

Materials

Quartz, Yellow Gold, Bronze

Claude Victor Boeltz Centrepiece
Claude Victor Boeltz Centrepiece
H 3.5 in W 8 in D 12 in
Pair of Claude Victor Boeltz Table Lamps
By Claude Victor Boeltz
Located in New York, NY
A great rare pair of 1970s French gilded bronze sculptural table lamps with malachite stones by artist, Claude Victor Boelts. Rewired. Each bronze ...
Category

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

Materials

Malachite, Bronze, Gold

Claude Victor Boeltz 24k Gold "Exploded Bronze" Table
By Claude Victor Boeltz
Located in New York, NY
An original signed sculptural 24k gold bronze table base by the artist, Claude Victor Boeltz.C. 1975. Two peice base can suppot a varitey of tops, round,squa...
Category

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

Materials

Gold, Bronze

Bronze Center/ Dining Table by Claude Victor Boeltz
By Claude Victor Boeltz
Located in New York, NY
A 1960's organic design free form bronze dining/center table by French artist, Claude Victor Boeltz.
Category

1970s French Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Furniture

Materials

Bronze

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.

Recently Viewed

View All