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Claude Victor Boeltz Decorative Objects

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
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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Quartz, Stone, Bronze

Pair of Large Gilt Bronze and Amethyst Sculpture by Boeltz, France, 1970s
By Claude Victor Boeltz
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Rare pair of monumental large sculpture ornamental decor elements in gilt bronze and Amethyst stone by the french artist Claude Victor Boeltz. Sign on back Boeltz Paris Made in Franc...
Category

1970s French Hollywood Regency Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Decorative Objects

Materials

Amethyst, 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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal, Gold, 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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal, Gold, Bronze

Claude Victor Boeltz Gilded Bronze and Quartz Table Centerpiece France
By Claude Victor Boeltz
Located in Brussels, BE
Nice sculptural Claude Victor Boeltz table centerpiece, circa 1980, France. Gold-plated bronze and white quartz. Dimensions: 38 cm W, 20 cm H, 30 cm D. Good original condition. All p...
Category

1980s French Hollywood Regency Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Decorative Objects

Materials

Quartz, Bronze

Claude Victor Boeltz Gilt Bronze Letter Holder, circa 1970, France.
By Claude Victor Boeltz
Located in Brussels, BE
Claude Victor Boeltz Letter Holder , circa 1970, France. Gilt exploded bronze, metal blade. Dimensions: 16 cm W, 10 cm H, 8 cm D. Boeltz’s "exploded-bronze" pieces, made famous in th...
Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Claude Victor Boeltz Gilt Bronze Letter Opener, circa 1970, France.
By Claude Victor Boeltz
Located in Brussels, BE
Beautiful Claude Victor Boeltz Letter Opener , circa 1970, France. Gilt exploded bronze, metal blade. Dimensions: 24 cm W, 5 cm H, 7 cm D. Boeltz’s "exploded-bronze" pieces, made fam...
Category

1970s Modern Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Decorative Objects

Materials

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 artis...
Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Decorative Objects

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Rock Crystal, Gold, Bronze

Claude Victor Boeltz 24 Karat Gold-Plated 'Exploded' Photograph Frame
By Claude Victor Boeltz
Located in Hastings, GB
Claude Victor Boeltz sculptural 24-karat gold-plated exploded photograph frame with lamp and rock crystal inclusions. The natural rock quartz crystal wands...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Brutalist Claude Victor Boeltz Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Seashell centerpiece by Claude Victor Boeltz, circa 1970 / 1980
By Claude Victor Boeltz
Located in Paris, FR
Seashell, bag holder or centerpiece in gilded bronze and rock crystals. Biography Claude Victor Boeltz, France (1937) Claude-Victor Boeltz, is born in 1937 in Paris. Complete arti...
Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Decorative Objects

Materials

Rock Crystal, Bronze

Claude Boeltz, Bronze Eclaté Candleabras, France, circa 1970s
By Claude Victor Boeltz
Located in New York, NY
Claude Boeltz’s candelabras possess the asymmetrical, numinous beauty of lightening, mimicking the natural phenomenon in hue, form, and arrangement.    
Category

1970s French Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Decorative Objects

Materials

Quartz, Bronze

Claude Boeltz, Bronze Eclaté Candelabrum, United States, 2019
By Claude Victor Boeltz
Located in New York, NY
Claude Boeltz’s five branch candelabrum possesses the asymmetry of trickling water frozen in intense cold, a form further suggested by the quartz crystals set throughout. Yet, as wit...
Category

2010s American Claude Victor Boeltz Decorative Objects

Materials

Quartz, Bronze

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Previously Available Items
Claude Boeltz Midcentury 24 Karat Gold "Exploded" Bronze and Rock Crystal Frame
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This unique and captivating modernist picture frame was realized by the esteemed midcentury artist Claude Victor Boeltz, circa 1970. It features an exploded, liquid- like form created using 24 karat gold bronze with prismatic clusters of natural rock crystal affixed to the frame. These iconic pieces quickly gained popularity for their inherent beauty and impeccable construction in the 1970s and were offered, at the time, by such luxury retailers as Fred Joaillier...
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1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Decorative Objects

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Pair of Gilt Bronze Candlesticks by Boeltz, France, 1970s
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Pair of Candlesticks or Candle holders in gilt bronze, partial piece of Dioptase stone by the french artist Claude Victor Boeltz. Famous design like Jacques Duval Brasseur, Philippe ...
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Pair of Brutalist Baroque 24-Karat Gilded Bronze Candlesticks by Claude Boeltz
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Pair of Gold Bronze 1970s French Claude Victor Boeltz Candle Holders
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Large Gilt Bronze and Quartz Lamp Frame by Boeltz, France, 1970s
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Centerpiece in Gilded Bronze and Rock Crystal, Claude Victor Boeltz France, 1970
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Sea shell, sculptural Claude Victor Boeltz table centerpiece, circa 1970, France. Gold-plated bronze and many pieces of rock crystal.
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Table lamp with photo holder. Claude Victor Boeltz. France 1970
By Claude Victor Boeltz
Located in Paris, FR
Beautiful lamp with photo holder in exploded bronze gilded in 24 K fine gold, supporting numerous rock crystals. Claude-Victor Boeltz, born in 1937 in Paris Complete artist (scul...
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Table Lamp in Gilded Bronze and Rock Crystal, Claude-Victor Boeltz Paris
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Claude Victor Boeltz (Born in 1937). "Coral" sculpture lamp, circa 1980, in gilded exploded bronze and gilded brass, adorned with rock crystals. Fabric shade with golden interior....
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Claude Boeltz Pair of 24-Karat Gold Plated Bronze Quadruple Candlesticks, France
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Claude Victor Boeltz Expoding Gold Bronze Centerpiece Sculpture Rock Quartz
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Claude Boeltz Exploded Bronze Picture Frame w/ 24kt Gold & Rock Crystal Details
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This exquisite coral-form picture frame was realized by the esteemed artist Claude Victor Boeltz in France. They are among artists 24-karat gold plated "exploded-bronze" pieces made ...
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Claude Victor Boeltz decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.

Claude Victor Boeltz decorative objects 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 decorative objects, although gold editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original decorative objects by Claude Victor Boeltz were created in the mid-century modern style in france during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider decorative objects by Georges Jouve, César Baldaccini, and Monique Gerber. Prices for Claude Victor Boeltz decorative objects can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $3,400 and can go as high as $28,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $6,982.

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