Skip to main content

Claude Victor Boeltz Furniture

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.

8
to
5
3
8
8
8
6
5
8
8
8
8
8
8
5
3
8
8
14
1,453
1,117
1,018
938
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Creator: Claude Victor Boeltz
Pair of Gilt Bronze Amethyst Lamps by Boeltz, France, 1970s
By Claude Victor Boeltz
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Mid-Century Modern Artistical sculptural rare pair of gilt bronze and Amethyst stone lamps by the artist Claude Victor Boeltz. Unusual technic called by the artist Explosed bronze. S...
Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Furniture

Materials

Amethyst, 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 Furniture

Materials

Rock Crystal, Bronze

Gilt Bronze and Quartz Stone Coffee Table by Boeltz, France, 1970s
By Claude Victor Boeltz
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Mid-Century Modern Coffee Low Cocktail table in gilt bronze and quartz stone by the french artist Claude Victor Boeltz. The technic was called by the artist "Explosed Bronze".
Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Furniture

Materials

Stone, Quartz, 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 Furniture

Materials

Rock Crystal, Gold, Bronze

Claude Victor Boeltz French Gold Bronze Dish Sculpture
By Claude Victor Boeltz
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful 1970s exploding 24-karat gold bronze sculpture dish with two large quartz clusters by French artist, Claude Victor Boeltz. Signed. A m...
Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Gold Plate, 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 Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Gold, 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 Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Gold, Bronze

Pair of Single 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 Furniture

Materials

Quartz, Gold, Bronze

Related Items
1970s Coffee Table With Natural Stone and Acrylic Top, Danish
By Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in London, GB
Elegant vibrant rectangular coffee table attributed to Danish designer IB Kofod Larsen. The table is in great condition, the frame is made of chrome plate metal and the top has been ...
Category

1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Furniture

Materials

Metal

Golden Bronze Bowl by Rick Owens
By Rick Owens
Located in Geneve, CH
Golden bronze bowl by Rick Owens 2007 Dimensions: L 14 x W 14 x H 8 cm Materials: Bronze Weight: 1.5 kg The gold edition is an exclusivity of Galerie Philia Rick Owens is a C...
Category

2010s French Modern Claude Victor Boeltz Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Golden Bronze Bowl by Rick Owens
Golden Bronze Bowl by Rick Owens
H 3.15 in W 5.52 in D 5.52 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 Furniture

Materials

Quartz, Bronze

Set of Two Ceramic Centerpieces by Gabbianelli, Italy, 1970s
By Gabbianelli
Located in Milan, IT
Set of two huge ceramic centerpieces by Gabbianelli. Oversized handles and pure sculptural shape.
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Gilded Bronze and Quartz Table Centerpiece by Claude Victor Boeltz 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 Furniture

Materials

Quartz, Bronze

Midcentury Maison Bagues French Bronze Coffee Table 1970s
By Maison Baguès
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Midcentury Maison Bagues French Bronze Coffee Table from the 1970s is a captivating blend of elegance and avant-garde design. Its base, resembling melted bronze, exudes a mesmeri...
Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Gilt Bronze Chunky Nugget Bowl Sculpture, Vide Poche or Desk Accessory Vintage
Located in North Miami, FL
This chunky and fabulous french vintage sculptural gilt bronze french decorative bowl or vide poche is signed but not legible. It is modern from the 1970s and has great weight to it ...
Category

1970s French Modern Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Victor Salmones the Ram Bronze Sculpture
By Victor Salmones
Located in New York, NY
Victor Salmones (Mexican, 1937-1989) , The Ram, bronze sculpture, depicting a male sheep looking out standing on a rocky outcropping, marked "B 12 / 11," signed. 13" H x 7" W x 4" D....
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Claude Victor Boeltz Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Murano Glass Centerpiece with Dark Red Bowl, Italy, circa 1970
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Stunning Murano glass centerpiece/ bowl out of Italy from the late 20th century around 1970. An unusual piece of Murano glass art with great shaped, super dark red almost black looking wavy glass bowl...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Claude Victor Boeltz Furniture

Materials

Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Salviati Murano White Amber Gold Italian Art Glass Birds Centerpiece Sculptures
By Alfredo Barbini, Salviati
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Gorgeous matched pair of vintage Murano hand blown white, dark amber and gold flecks Italian art glass bird on branch sculptures. Documented to th...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Claude Victor Boeltz Furniture

Materials

Gold Leaf

French Coffee Table by Roche Bobois, 1970s
By Roche Bobois
Located in L'Escala, ES
This coffee table by Roche Bobois is produced in France during the 1970s. Rectangular with four large chrome and black lacquered wood leg and a dark smoked glass top. In excellent...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Claude Victor Boeltz Furniture

Materials

Chrome

French Coffee Table by Roche Bobois, 1970s
French Coffee Table by Roche Bobois, 1970s
H 13.78 in W 47.25 in D 25.6 in
Bronze Sculpture by Victor Roman
By Victor Roman
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
Bronze sculpture by Victor Roman. Signed and numbered 2/8.
Category

1970s French Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Bronze Sculpture by Victor Roman
Bronze Sculpture by Victor Roman
H 15.75 in W 13.78 in D 3.55 in
Previously Available Items
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 Furniture

Materials

Rock Crystal, Gold, 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 ...
Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Furniture

Materials

Stone, Bronze

Pair of Gilt Bronze Murano Glass Sconces by Claude Victor Boeltz, France, 1970s
By Claude Victor Boeltz
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Rare and large pair of gilt bronze wall lamps lights sconces, murano glass diffusor. Unique and singular technique used by Boeltz and called by him "Explose Bronze". Artistical work,...
Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Furniture

Materials

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...
Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Furniture

Materials

Quartz, Gold, Bronze

Pair of Claude Boeltz 24kt Gold-Plated Exploded Bronze Sconces w/ Rock Crystals
By Claude Victor Boeltz
Located in New York, NY
This stunning and sophisticated pair of modernist sconces were realized by the celebrated French artist Claude Boeltz. They feature graphic organic forms- recalling both oceanic and ...
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Claude Victor Boeltz Furniture

Materials

Rock Crystal, Gold, Bronze

Pair of Signed Claude Victor Boeltz Bronze Lamps, 1970
By Claude Victor Boeltz
Located in Paris, IDF
This pair of Claude Victor Boeltz table lamps has the intricacy of fine jewelry. Bronze is sculpted to look miraculously molten and gravity-dying, forming part of the base. Among the...
Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Furniture

Materials

Rock Crystal, Brass, Bronze

Monumental sconces by Claude Victor Boeltz in Bronze and Murano Glass, 1970s
By Claude Victor Boeltz
Located in Paris, IDF
Despite having a substantial length of 110 cm / 43 inches, this pair of sconces has a level of detail that handmade, fine jewelry might. In fact, the sconces, designed by famed 20th ...
Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Furniture

Materials

Gold, Bronze

Claude Victor Boeltz Expoding Gold Bronze Centerpiece Sculpture Rock Quartz
By Claude Victor Boeltz
Located in New York, NY
A rare beautiful 1970s 24-karat gold bronze sculpture with a large quartz and amethyst clusters made by French artist, Claude Victor Boeltz. Signed. Biography: Claude Victor Boelt...
Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Furniture

Materials

Amethyst, Rock Crystal, Gold, Bronze

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 Furniture

Materials

Rock Crystal, Gold, Bronze

French Bronze and Amethyst Table Lamps by Claude Victor Boeltz, 1970s
By Claude Victor Boeltz
Located in Brussels, BE
French bronze and amethyst table lamps by Claude Victor Boeltz, 1970s.
Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Furniture

Materials

Brass

Claude Victor Boeltz, Dinner Table, circa 1970, France
By Claude Victor Boeltz
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Claude Victor Boeltz, Dinner table, glass tabletop, golden bronze base with an amethyst geode in its center, Signed Boeltz Paris, circa 1970, France. Measures: Diameter 130 cm,...
Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Claude Victor Boeltz Furniture

Materials

Bronze

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 Furniture

Materials

Rock Crystal, Gold, Bronze

Claude Victor Boeltz furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Claude Victor Boeltz furniture 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 furniture, although gold editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture 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 furniture by Romeo Paris, Philippe Barbier, and Jean Boris Lacroix. Prices for Claude Victor Boeltz furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,235 and can go as high as $34,975, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $8,475.

Recently Viewed

View All