CLAUDE BOELTZ
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 Boulle 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 Meunier, Giacometti, Pompon, Chiparus, Dali, and Ruhlmann.
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 de triomphe—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 on Rue Royal, and at Cartier at the Place Vendome. Collectors included Cartier himself, Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, Jeans Marais, Salvador Dali, Jacques Yves Cousteau, Ramses the second of Morocco, Bonjean Baron Rothschild, and King Faisal of Riyadh.
Indeed, so successful was Boeltz, that by the early 1980s he was able to relocate his entire business to the US, building a large foundry in Nevada where his pieces were in highest demand. One of his earliest commissions was for The Mirage, then in development. Thereafter, Boeltz was commissioned to create prominent pieces for, among others, Treasure Island, The Bellagio, Caesar’s Palace, Flamingo Hilton, MGM, Bally’s, Luxor, the Venetian, Paris Las Vegas, Mandalay Bay, and New York Hotel/Casino. In 2006, Claude relocated to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. There, he has been creating new works of art in his atelier.
COLLECTION
This stunning Pair of Modernist Sconces in Exploded 24K Gilt Bronze & Crystal by Claude Boeltz originates from France during the 21st Century. Featuring a cluster of quartz crystals brimming out of the top of these sconces and brilliantly diffusing and refracting the light of the bulbs, a stunning frame formed in exploded bronze holds the crystals in place, from which winding tendrils with stunning detail extend downwards in a carefully spaced and artfully executed motif, entirely gilt in 24Karat Gold. A breathtaking work of functional art, this pair of sconces will style beautifully in a wide array of spaces and settings, from Mid-Century Modernist to Contemporary and Minimal Interiors. Newly rewired to American Standards, these sconces are in Excellent Condition.
France, 21st Century
Dimensions:
Height: 17 in (43.18 cm) x Width: 8.5 in (21.59 cm) x Depth: 6 in (15.24 cm)
Creator: Claude Victor Boeltz (Maker)
Sold As: Set of 2
Power Source: Hardwired
Style: Modern (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques: Bronze, Crystal, Gold
Place of Origin: France
Period: 21st Century
Date of Manufacture: 21st Century
Condition: Excellent. Rewired.
Reference Number: LU793440122282
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 bronze, consisting of two arms and three feet plated in 24-karat gold. Additionally, they have clusters of rock crystal throughout as well as quartz bobeches at the apex of each candle stem. These pieces are as much candleholders, as they are compelling objet d'art- handcrafted and unique. They would be a winning addition to any style of decor from the old world to contemporary. They bare Claude Boeltz's signature stamp and are in excellent condition.
France, 20th-century
Dimensions (without candles):
Height: 16.25” (41.28 cm) x Width: 13.5” (34.29 cm) x Depth: 6” (15.24 cm)
Creator: Claude Boeltz (Maker)
Style: Modern
Place of origin: France
Date of manufacture: 20th Century
Period: 20th Century
Materials and techniques: Gold, Bronze, Rock Crystal
Condition: Excellent
Reference number: LU793417732381
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 terrestrial forms from coral to tree branches- realized in exploded bronze that has been plated in pure 24 karat gold that surround a cluster of rock crystals in the center of each sconce. Straddling the line between baroque and organic, these sconces are truly unique (each piece produced by Boeltz was different) and inimitably hand crafted. Their ebullient color palate and sculptural forms make them as versatile as they are aesthetically captivating, blending perfectly with any style of interior from classic Mid Century Modern to contemporary. They feature two candelabra bulbs each, offering up to 120 watts per sconce or 240 watts for the pair. They have been newly rewired to American standards and are in excellent vintage condition.
France, 20th Century
Dimensions:
Height: 21.25 in. (53.98 cm) x Width: 7.5 in. (19.05 cm) x Depth: 5.5 in. (13.97 cm)
Lead-Time: 8-10 weeks
Creator: Claude Victor Boeltz (Designer)
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Materials and Techniques: Gold, Bronze, Rock Crystal
Place of Origin: France
Period: 20th Century
Date of Manufacture: 20th Century
Condition: Excellent
Reference Number: LU793421798222
This stunning and dramatic flush mount was hand crafted by the esteemed artist Claude Boeltz in France. It features an expressionistic sunburst pattern realized in two rows of exploded bronze plated in pure 24-karat yellow gold, the tendrils energetically extending outwards from the handblown glass circular shade replete with an organic geometric texture in raised glass. The myriad triangular patterns imprinted into the surface of the glass offers a dynamic counterpoint to the organic sensibility of the exploded bronze tendrils that surround the shade. Exquisitely crafted by hand, with no detail overlooked, this fixture is as beautiful as it is versatile blending perfectly with any style of interior from classic Mid-Century Modern to contemporary. It has been newly rewired to American standards and is in excellent condition.
France, 20th Century
Dimensions:
Height: 5 in. (12.7 cm) x Diameter: 34 in. (86.36 cm)
Creator: Claude Boeltz (Maker)
Style: Modern (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques: Blown Glass, Bronze, Gold
Place of Origin: France
Period: 20th Century
Date of Manufacture: 20th Century
Condition: Excellent, Rewired.
Reference Number: LU793435235302
This stunningly ornate Pair of Modernist Sconces in Exploded 24Karat Gilt Bronze and Quartz Crystal is by the esteemed artist and designer Claude Boeltz and originates from France during the 20th Century. Featuring a central cluster of quartz beautifully composed and showing the natural variation and material beauty of the crystal, framed by artfully formed gilt exploded bronze tendrils, tightly hugging the central body of quartz and then appearing to drip as though super heated and cooling naturally, or to be formed in a geological timeline reminiscent of stalactites. The light from these sconces is diffused beautifully by the quartz crystal and illuminates and defines the gilt bronze elements framing the piece, creating an alluring and glamorous sensibility. Newly rewired to American Standards, these sconces take 2 candelabra based bulbs achieving up to 120 watts of light per sconce. In Excellent Vintage Condition.
France, 20th Century
Dimensions:
Height: 12.5 in (31.75 cm) x Width: 12 in (30.48 cm) x Depth: 7 in (17.78 cm)
Creator: Claude Victor Boeltz (Maker)
Sold As: Set of 2
Power Source: Hardwired
Style: Modern (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques: Bronze, Crystal, Gold
Place of Origin: France
Period: 20th Century
Date of Manufacture: 20th Century
Condition: Excellent. Rewired.
Reference Number: LU793438139882
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 bronze, consisting of two arms and three feet plated in 24-karat gold. Additionally, they have clusters of rock crystal throughout, as well as quartz bobeches at the apex of each candle stem. These pieces are as much candleholders, as they are compelling objet d'art- handcrafted and unique. They would be a winning addition to any style of decor from the old world to contemporary. They bare Claude Boeltz's signature stamp and are in excellent condition.
France, 20th-century
Dimensions:
Height: 25.5 in. (64.77 cm) x Width: 17 in. (43.18 cm) x Depth: 12 in. (30.48 cm)
Creator: Claude Boeltz (Maker)
Style: Modern (of the period)
Place of origin: France
Date of manufacture: 20th Century
Period: 20th Century
Materials and techniques: Gold, Brass, Quartz, Rock Crystal
Condition: Excellent
Sold as: Set of 2
Reference Number: LU793417732401
This sophisticated and stunning pair of modernist candlesticks were realized in France by the esteemed artisan Claude Victor Boeltz. They offer an exploded form sculpted, by hand, and cast in bronze, consisting of an elongated biomorphic form- with two heads and four feet- suggesting a mythological creature in the midst of ambling. Rock crystals are fitted along the back of this animal-like form, while one of the heads of each supports a carved rock crystal bobeche and opening intended for a candle. These pieces are as much candleholders, as they are compelling objet d'art- handcrafted and unique. Simultaneously Brutalist and Baroque, they would be a winning addition to any style of decor from old world to contemporary. These candlesticks come with a certificate of authenticity, documenting that they are authentic and original items by the artist. They bare Claude Boeltz's signature stamp and are in excellent condition.
France, 20th century
Dimensions:
Height: 9 in (22.86 cm) x Width: 5.5 in (13.97 cm) x Depth: 15.5 in (39.37 cm)
Creator: Claude Boeltz (Maker)
Sold As: Set of 2
Style: Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques: Gold
Place of Origin: France
Period: 20th Century
Date of Manufacture: 20th Century
Condition: Excellent
Reference Number: LU793431824572
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 bronze, consisting of two arms and three feet plated in 24-karat gold. Additionally, they have clusters of quartz throughout as well as rock crystal bobeches at the apex of each candle stem. These pieces are as much candleholders, as they are compelling objet d'art- handcrafted and unique. They would be a winning addition to any style of decor from the old world to contemporary. They bare Claude Boeltz's signature stamp and are in excellent condition.
France, 20th-century
Dimensions (without candles):
Height: 22.5” (57.15 cm) x Width: 8.5” (21.59 cm) x Depth: 17” (43.18 cm)
Creator: Claude Boeltz (Maker)
Style: Modern
Place of origin: France
Date of manufacture: 20th Century
Period: 20th Century
Materials and techniques: Gold Plate, Bronze, Rock Crystal
Condition: Excellent
Reference number: LU793417732411
This spectacular Modernist 24 Karat Gold & Exploded Bronze Starburst Sconce W/Quartz Crystal by Claude Boeltz originates from France during the latter half of the 20th Century. Features a stunning expansive quality crafted from exploded bronze tendrils glistening outwards from an illuminated central hearth in Quartz crystal. The center of the fixture has a warm and personal beauty with an air of geological wonder arising from the warn hue and quality of the crystals, their irregular geometric structure jutting and interacting on an invisible plane of natural complexity. The exploded bronze elements plated in 24Karat Gold balance the sharp quartz with an organic sensibility of rapid growth and expansion. This sconce is a true gem achieved by Claude Boeltz, once of the most creative and spectacular artists and makers, a master of his techniques, bringing his materiality and risk taking to a high level with every piece he creates. A statement piece sure to style well in a wide array of settings and spaces, from Mid-Century Modernist to Hollywood Regency and Contemporary Interiors. Newly rewired to American Standards, this piece is in Excellent Condition. Accommodates 2 Candelabra based bulbs casting up to 120 watts of light.
France, 20th Century
Dimensions:
Height: 29 in (73.66 cm) x Width: 22 in (55.88 cm) x Depth: 5.5 in (13.97 cm)
Creator: Claude Victor Boeltz (Maker)
Power Source: Hardwired
Style: Modern (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques: Bronze, Gold, Quartz, Gilt
Place of Origin: France
Period: 20th Century
Date of Manufacture: 20th Century
Condition: Excellent. Rewired.
Reference Number: LU793437511632