136 sq ft rare French handmade ceramic floor - late 19th century
In the latter stages of restoration, a preview of a rare, French floor manufactured in the late 19th century by Carrelages Ceramiques Boch Freres Maubeuge. 6.8 inch, 3lb ceramic tiles, for a surface of +/- 136 sq ft.
Gracing fine maison-maitre, state and ecclesiastical settings these impressive handmade tiles can be found in Quimper Cathedral in Bretagne, France. We include some photographs in the gallery of them in the Cathedral.
Photographs present a cleaned section of the floor and catalogue scans its provenance.
The floor is still located in France and will be shipped shortly.
Note:-
Our antique tiles were originally handmade in single or two tile molds. Pre-computer fabrication these molds were machined by hand & the colour slips to create the tile were mixed by measure and eye. When firing the tiles, the kiln temperatures of c.1,100F degrees could also be variable. The result of this production process is that tiles made during this period of non-automation often display subtle size & thickness variations and there can be tonal variations in colors, all of which add to their charm and uniqueness. When photographing a floor, we always take a random section so that it is representative of the whole in tones and patina.
A rigorous quality control during the restoration process will include in the sale any tiles with groutable small chips and edge nibbles, expected of tiles more than 100 years old, but include for free any with larger defaults as rejects, which the tiler can then use for offcuts.
Can we help?
If you can provide a technical drawing, or a simple sketch with key dimensions, we are happy to assist in evaluating and recommending the best layout of the floor in your area of choice. Click here for more details