Claude Victor Boeltz Picture Frames

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.

Creator: Claude Victor Boeltz

Claude Victor Boeltz French 1970s Gold Bronze Crystal Amethyst Picture Frame

$3,747Sale Price|50% Off

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 Picture Frames

Materials

Crystal, Gold, Bronze

Large Gilt Bronze and Dioptase Lamp Picture Frame by Boeltz, France, 1970s

$6,702

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 Picture Frames

Materials

Quartz, Stone, Bronze

Claude Victor Boeltz 24 Karat Gold-Plated 'Exploded' Photograph Frame

$4,031

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 Picture Frames

Materials

Bronze

Framed Lady Photograph in Ormolu Picture Frame, France 1920s

$220

H 4.88 in W 3.75 in D 2.63 in

Framed Lady Photograph in Ormolu Picture Frame, France 1920s

Located in Nuernberg, DE

A lovely stylish sentimental Photograph of a lady. Framed in a beautiful brass or ormolu frame, circa 1920s. Beautiful and highly decorative. You can use it also as a wall hanging picture frame...

Category

1920s French Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Picture Frames

Materials

Brass, Ormolu

Fine Antique French Neoclassical Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Picture Frame

$880Sale Price|20% Off

H 11.38 in W 7.5 in D 9.5 in

Fine Antique French Neoclassical Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Picture Frame

Located in Miami, FL

A fine ornate antique French Louis XV style gilt bronze photo frame with back easel stand, Napoleon III era, circa 1880. Richly decorated with neoclassical style motifs such as faces...

Category

19th Century French Louis XV Antique Claude Victor Boeltz Picture Frames

Materials

Bronze

Claude Victor Boeltz Gilt Bronze Letter Holder, circa 1970, France.

$2,846

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...

Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Picture Frames

Materials

Bronze

Wonderful French Ormolu Purple Enamel Gilt Bronze Bow Picture Frame Miniature

$3,450

H 15 in W 10 in D 0.65 in

Wonderful French Ormolu Purple Enamel Gilt Bronze Bow Picture Frame Miniature

Located in Roslyn, NY

A wonderful and rare French ormolu bronze and purple enamel picture frame with a miniature on the top with bows and tassels. Frame: 10" W X 15" H Picture:7" W X 9&q...

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1930s French Belle Époque Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Picture Frames

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Large Art Deco Silver Plated Photograph Frame. English C.1925

$750

H 17.75 in W 12.25 in D 8.5 in

Large Art Deco Silver Plated Photograph Frame. English C.1925

Located in St Annes, Lancashire

Superb Large plain silver plated photograph frame Silver plated back support The signed photograph of Queen Mary came with the frame but it is not included. It is availabe on the...

Category

1920s English Art Deco Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Picture Frames

Materials

Sterling Silver

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

$28,000

H 22 in W 18 in D 8 in

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 Picture Frames

Materials

Quartz, Bronze

Italian 1970s Small Oval Nickel Bamboo Picture Frame

$406

H 4.49 in W 3.78 in D 3.15 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 Picture Frames

Materials

Nickel

Italian Malachite and Brass Picture Frame, 1970s

$950

H 13 in W 10.5 in D 9 in

Italian Malachite and Brass Picture Frame, 1970s

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Elegant Italian picture frame from the 1970s, crafted with a polished malachite veneer and accented by a gilt brass border. The vivid green malachite showcases natural banded pattern...

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1970s Italian Modern Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Picture Frames

Materials

Malachite

Fine Large Antique 19th Century French Gilt Bronze Love Trophies Picture Frame

$1,800

H 12 in W 7.5 in D 1 in

Fine Large Antique 19th Century French Gilt Bronze Love Trophies Picture Frame

Located in New York, NY

"There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved" - George Sand Fine Louis XVI style antique French gilt bronze photograph frame, the crest with an ornate wreath surrounding the head of a lion...

Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Claude Victor Boeltz Picture Frames

Materials

Bronze

Claude Lalanne, a Rare Gilt-Bronze Dragonfly Frame, France, C. 1985

$57,900

H 4 in W 3.5 in D 2 in

Claude Lalanne, a Rare Gilt-Bronze Dragonfly Frame, France, C. 1985

By Claude Lalanne

Located in Long Island City, NY, NY

Claude Lalanne (1925-2019) A rare gilt-bronze dragonfly frame, France C. 1985, Signed on reverse Cl. Lalanne Artcurial 25/450. Measures: 4" high x 3...

Category

20th Century French Art Nouveau Claude Victor Boeltz Picture Frames

Materials

Bronze

French Gilded Aluminum & Metal Picture Frame – 1970s

$522

H 8.27 in W 6.7 in D 5.52 in

French Gilded Aluminum & Metal Picture Frame – 1970s

Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR

The photograph is not included French Gilded Aluminum & Metal Picture Frame – 1970s Description: This is a vintage picture frame made in France during the 1970s, crafted in gil...

Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Picture Frames

Materials

Brass, Chrome

French Neoclassical Gilt Bronze and Green Enamel Picture Frame

$4,600

H 14 in W 11 in D 0.5 in

French Neoclassical Gilt Bronze and Green Enamel Picture Frame

Located in New York, NY

Our lovely gilt bronze picture frame in the Louis XVI style features emerald green enamel and fine neoclassical motifs including rosettes, ribbons and rose flower garlands. Rear stam...

Category

Late 19th Century French Late Victorian Antique Claude Victor Boeltz Picture Frames

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Previously Available Items

Claude Boeltz Midcentury 24 Karat Gold "Exploded" Bronze and Rock Crystal Frame

Sold

H 12.5 in W 13.5 in D 6 in

Claude Boeltz Midcentury 24 Karat Gold "Exploded" Bronze and Rock Crystal Frame

By Claude Victor Boeltz

Located in New York, NY

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...

Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Picture Frames

Materials

Rock Crystal, Gold, Bronze

Large Gilt Bronze and Quartz Lamp Frame by Boeltz, France, 1970s

Sold

H 17.33 in W 15.36 in D 5.91 in

Large Gilt Bronze and Quartz Lamp 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 quartz rock crystal stone by the french artist Claude Victor Boeltz. Sign on back Boeltz Paris Made in France.

Category

1970s French Hollywood Regency Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Picture Frames

Materials

Quartz, Bronze

Claude Boeltz Exploded Bronze Picture Frame w/ 24kt Gold & Rock Crystal Details

Sold

H 15 in W 16 in D 7 in

Claude Boeltz Exploded Bronze Picture Frame w/ 24kt Gold & Rock Crystal Details

By Claude Victor Boeltz

Located in New York, NY

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 ...

Category

20th Century French Modern Claude Victor Boeltz Picture Frames

Materials

Rock Crystal, Gold, Bronze

Claude Boeltz Midcentury 24 Karat Gold "Exploded" Bronze and Rock Crystal Frame

Sold

H 12.5 in W 13.5 in L 12.5 in

Claude Boeltz Midcentury 24 Karat Gold "Exploded" Bronze and Rock Crystal Frame

By Claude Victor Boeltz

Located in New York, NY

This unique and captivating modernist picture frame was realized by the esteemed midcentury artist Claude Victor Boeltz, circa 1970. It feature...

Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Picture Frames

Materials

Rock Crystal, Gold, Bronze

Claude Victor Boeltz picture frames for sale on 1stDibs.

Claude Victor Boeltz picture frames 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 picture frames, although gold editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original picture frames 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 picture frames by Christian Dior, and Dior Home. Prices for Claude Victor Boeltz picture frames can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $3,736 and can go as high as $9,475, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $6,982.

More Claude Victor Boeltz Furniture

Claude Victor Boeltz Bowls and Baskets

Claude Victor Boeltz Candle Holders

Claude Victor Boeltz Sculptures

Claude Victor Boeltz Desk Accessories

Claude Victor Boeltz Lighting

Claude Victor Boeltz Tables

Claude Victor Boeltz Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Claude Victor Boeltz Abstract Sculptures

Claude Victor Boeltz Decorative Dishes and Vide-Poche

Claude Victor Boeltz Candelabras

Claude Victor Boeltz Decorative Bowls

Claude Victor Boeltz Figurative Sculptures