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Claude Victor Boeltz Candle Holders

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
Pair of Gilt Bronze and Quartz Candlesticks by Boeltz, France, 1970s
Pair of Gilt Bronze and Quartz Candlesticks by Boeltz, France, 1970s

Pair of Gilt Bronze and Quartz Candlesticks by Boeltz, France, 1970s

By Claude Victor Boeltz

Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR

Pair of Candlesticks or Candle holders in gilt bronze, quartz rock crystal stone by the french artist Claude Victor Boeltz. Famous design like Jacques Duval Brasseur, Philippe Jean, ...

Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Candle Holders

Materials

Stone, Quartz, Bronze

Claude Boeltz, Bronze Eclaté Candleabras, France, circa 1970s
Claude Boeltz, Bronze Eclaté Candleabras, France, circa 1970s

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 Candle Holders

Materials

Quartz, Bronze

Claude Boeltz, Bronze Eclaté Candelabrum, United States, 2019
Claude Boeltz, Bronze Eclaté Candelabrum, United States, 2019

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 Candle Holders

Materials

Quartz, Bronze

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1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Candle Holders

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Previously Available Items
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Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR

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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1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Candle Holders

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Pair of Brutalist Baroque 24-Karat Gilded Bronze Candlesticks by Claude Boeltz
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Pair of Brutalist Baroque 24-Karat Gilded Bronze Candlesticks by Claude Boeltz

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Located in New York, NY

This dramatic and elegant pair of Mid-Century Modern candlesticks were realized in France by the esteemed artisan Claude Victor Boeltz. They offer an exploded form sculpted, by hand,...

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20th Century French Modern Claude Victor Boeltz Candle Holders

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Quartz, Rock Crystal, Bronze

Pair of Gold Bronze 1970s French Claude Victor Boeltz Candle Holders
Pair of Gold Bronze 1970s French Claude Victor Boeltz Candle Holders

Pair of Gold Bronze 1970s French Claude Victor Boeltz Candle Holders

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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 Candle Holders

Materials

Quartz, Gold, Bronze

Claude Boeltz Pair of 24-Karat Gold Plated Bronze Quadruple Candlesticks, France
Claude Boeltz Pair of 24-Karat Gold Plated Bronze Quadruple Candlesticks, France

Claude Boeltz Pair of 24-Karat Gold Plated Bronze Quadruple Candlesticks, France

By Claude Victor Boeltz

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A stunning and classy pair of candlesticks handcrafted by Claude Boeltz in France, circa 1970s. These features hand-sculpted bronze structures, 24-karat gold-plated, and garnished wi...

Category

1970s French Hollywood Regency Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Candle Holders

Materials

Rock Crystal, Gold Plate, Bronze

Pair of Branch Form 24-Karat Gilded Bronze Candlesticks by Claude Boeltz
Pair of Branch Form 24-Karat Gilded Bronze Candlesticks by Claude Boeltz

Pair of Branch Form 24-Karat Gilded Bronze Candlesticks by Claude Boeltz

By Claude Victor Boeltz

Located in New York, NY

This stunning pair of Mid-Century Modern candlesticks were realized in France by the esteemed artisan Claude Victor Boeltz. They offer an exploded form sculpted, by hand, and cast in...

Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Claude Victor Boeltz Candle Holders

Materials

Rock Crystal, Gold, Bronze

Pair of Double Branch 24-Karat Gold-Plated Bronze Candlesticks by Claude Boeltz
Pair of Double Branch 24-Karat Gold-Plated Bronze Candlesticks by Claude Boeltz

Pair of Double Branch 24-Karat Gold-Plated Bronze Candlesticks by Claude Boeltz

By Claude Victor Boeltz

Located in New York, NY

This stunning pair of Mid-Century Modern candlesticks were realized in France, circa 1970 by the esteemed artisan Claude Victor Boeltz. They offer an exploded form sculpted, by hand,...

Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Candle Holders

Materials

Quartz, Gold, Bronze

Pair of Triple Branch 24-Karat Gold-Plated Bronze Candlesticks by Claude Boeltz
Pair of Triple Branch 24-Karat Gold-Plated Bronze Candlesticks by Claude Boeltz

Pair of Triple Branch 24-Karat Gold-Plated Bronze Candlesticks by Claude Boeltz

By Claude Victor Boeltz

Located in New York, NY

These stunning Mid-Century Modern candlesticks were realized in France circa 1970 by the esteemed artisan Claude Victor Boeltz. They offer an exploded form sculpted, by hand, and cas...

Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Candle Holders

Materials

Quartz, Gold Plate, Bronze

Circa 1975 Boeltz Paris Gilt Bronze and Rock Crystal Candlestick
Circa 1975 Boeltz Paris Gilt Bronze and Rock Crystal Candlestick

Circa 1975 Boeltz Paris Gilt Bronze and Rock Crystal Candlestick

By Claude Victor Boeltz

Located in Kinderhook, NY

C. 1975 Claude Victor Boeltz 24K Gold-Plated "Exploded-Bronze" candlestick encrusted with eight facet-cut rock crystal shafts of varying size. Claude Victor Boeltz is a French surre...

Category

1970s French Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Candle Holders

Materials

Rock Crystal, Bronze

Claude Victor Boeltz candle holders for sale on 1stDibs.

Claude Victor Boeltz candle holders are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of stone and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Claude Victor Boeltz candle holders, although gold editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original candle holders by Claude Victor Boeltz were created in the modern style in france during the 1970s. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider candle holders by Vallauris, Daum, and Pierre Casenove. Prices for Claude Victor Boeltz candle holders can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $8,475 and can go as high as $28,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $24,000.