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.
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, ...
Stone, Quartz, Bronze
Pair of French Empire Gilt Bronze Candlesticks, 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Pair of French Empire Gilt Bronze Candlesticks, 1820s A refined pair of Empire candlesticks in gilt bronze, crafted in France around the 1820s. The design features the elegant, flu...
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Candlesticks
By Thomire & Cie.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of French Empire gilt bronze candlesticks. With intricate raised decoration in the form of geometric and foliate patterns. The middle of each candlestick is fluted and ...
Bronze
$2,866
H 3.94 in W 6.3 in D 3.15 in
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...
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.
Quartz, Bronze
$1,162 / set
H 8.08 in Dm 3.35 in
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt and Patinated Bronze & Brass Candlesticks
Located in Barntrup, DE
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt, Patinated, and Burnished Bronze & Brass Candlesticks, circa 1920 Elegant pair of French Empire style candlesticks, crafted from a harmonious co...
Bronze, Brass
$2,900Sale Price|50% Off
H 7 in W 8 in D 7.5 in
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...
Crystal, Gold, Bronze
Pair of French Gilt Bronze and Slate Candlesticks, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This regal pair of bronze and slate candlesticks originated in 19th-century France and are beautifully detailed with molded and gilt embellishments. Crafted in the style of Empire furniture, each candlestick rests on a triform bronze base of claw feet and petal scrollwork, topped by a gilt acanthus leaf throne supporting a simple black slate stem. The sleek stone posts in turn support an urn-form bronze capital with floral and gilt elements. A gorgeous example of French opulence...
Slate, Bronze
$2,900Sale Price|50% Off
H 7 in W 8 in D 7.5 in
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...
Crystal, Gold, Bronze
$3,158 / set
H 10.24 in W 4.34 in D 2.76 in
1970s Pair of Modernist Gilded Bronze Candlesticks. Signed.
Located in Marbella, ES
1970s Pair of Modernist Gilded Bronze Candlesticks. Signed.
Bronze
Pair of Gilt Bronze Crane Candlesticks
Located in New York, NY
Each in the form of a bronze ostrich on a rockwork base; supporting a candleholder.
Bronze
19th Century French Pair of Bronze and Gilt Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of bronze and gilt bronze candlesticks of well-cast classical women holding a torch which holds the candle. They stand on a triangular plinth base and are supported with tripa...
Bronze
Pair of Gilt Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Stamford, CT
A pair of Continental gilt bronze candlesticks with Russian serving figures. The pair has been newly gold-plated.
Bronze
Pair of Gilt Bronze Candlesticks by Boeltz, France, 1970s
By Claude Victor Boeltz
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 ...
Stone, Bronze
Pair of Brutalist Baroque 24-Karat Gilded Bronze Candlesticks by Claude Boeltz
By Claude Victor Boeltz
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,...
Quartz, Rock Crystal, Bronze
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...
Quartz, Gold, Bronze
Sold
H 13 in W 9 in D 8 in
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...
Rock Crystal, Gold Plate, Bronze
Sold
H 17.5 in Dm 8 in L 17.5 in
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...
Rock Crystal, Gold, Bronze
Sold
H 8 in W 13.5 in L 8 in
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,...
Quartz, Gold, Bronze
Sold
H 22 in W 16 in D 9 in
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...
Quartz, Gold Plate, Bronze