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.
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.
Quartz, Stone, Bronze
$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...
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...
Bronze
$2,879
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
$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...
Bronze, Enamel
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
Italian 1970s Small Oval Nickel Bamboo Picture Frame
Located in Milan, IT
Italian 1970s Small Oval Nickel Bamboo Picture Frame
Nickel
$564
H 7.29 in W 4.53 in D 1.58 in
Antique Gilt Brass Gold Glass Photo Picture Photograph Frame Wall Decor
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Gilt Brass Gold Glass Photo Picture Photograph Frame Wall Decor Continental Brass, glass c. 1900 Dimensions: H x W x D: 18.5cm x 11.5cm (external) 16cm x 10cm (interna...
Brass
Large French Neoclassical Gilt Bronze Picture Frame
Located in Bradenton, FL
French Neoclassical Gilt Bronze Picture Frame. Large ornate Neoclassical gilt bronze picture frame embellished with floral swags, ribbon-tied garlands, urn motifs, and foliate orname...
Bronze
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...
Bronze
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...
Malachite
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...
Brass, Ormolu
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...
Bronze, Enamel
$300Sale Price|60% Off
H 3.5 in W 3 in D 0.5 in
Rare Estate Yellow Enamel 24CT Gold Plate England Heart Miniature Photo Frame
Located in New York, NY
The Following Item we are Offering is A Spectacular Rare One of a Kind Heart Gold Enamel Frame. The Frame is Beautifully adorned with a 24CT Bronze Gold Plate Mounting and Framing. T...
Gold Plate
$13,500
H 24 in W 24 in D 13.5 in
Claude Victor Boeltz “Pegasus” 24k Gold Electroplate, Bronze Quartz Sculpture
Located in Louisville, KY
A commanding and highly sculptural work by Claude Victor Boeltz, this limited-edition “Pegasus” is executed in 24-karat gold electroplated bronze, rising in dramatic ascent above a s...
Quartz, Gold Plate, Bronze
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...
Rock Crystal, Gold, Bronze
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.
Quartz, Bronze
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 ...
Rock Crystal, Gold, Bronze
Sold
H 12.5 in W 13.5 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...
Rock Crystal, Gold, Bronze