A Boulenger Grès Cérame Floor with a Claude Monet twist

This exceptionally rare tile floor originates from the Société Anonyme de Produits Céramiques Boulenger of Auneuil, a cornerstone of late 19th-century French design. Active during the Belle Époque, Boulenger’s workshops were celebrated for their masterful integration of color, form, and durability—producing ceramic works that graced churches, civic buildings, and refined residences throughout France. We include in the photo gallery scans from their late 19th century catalogue displaying the tiles we have available. One tile in this set directly matches those found in Claude Monet’s home in Giverny—testament to Boulenger’s influence and prestige among the French cultural elite in the late 19th and early 20th century.

The current ensemble, comprising both field and border tiles, is rendered in sang de bœuf and ochre—a signature palette (along with the third color of black) which echoed throughout Boulenger’s product range. The interplay of solid color and motif tiles framed by scrolling borders recalls the rhythmic, orderly compositions typical of the period. Individually handmade, each tile measures 5.5 inches sq and is c. 1/2 inch thick. The handmade fabrication process often included worker signatures along the tile edges and Boulenger used a unique kiln-firing method where the tiles were arranged in back-to-back pairs, separated by two strips of metal paper. Once cooled, the tiles were separated when the metal paper was pulled free and remnants of these separators can be seen in the shape of the tiles reverse. 

There are no corner border tiles included, but mitre-cutting these from the regular borders is simple and a visual schematic for the cut required is available in the gallery for guidance.

Aged over 150 years, the floor exhibits a warm antique patina with a small number of tiles bearing groutable minor chips or edge nibbles. Its robustness is not questionable, these are a quality ceramic.

The tiles are made of grès cérame, or high-fired stoneware, and we recommend they be sealed after installation for protection and ease of maintenance. This ensures longevity without altering the tile’s appearance, with each seal lasting up to five years.

Inventory Overview:

  • Field Tiles – Plain Sang de Bœuf:- 175 tiles ~37.7 sq ft
  • Field Tiles – Motif Sang de Bœuf:- 173 tiles ~37.2 sq ft
  • Border Tiles – Scrolling Motif:- 64 tiles ~29.4 linear ft

Total surface coverage: 86 square feet

 

Enquire Now

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

REF:
JNCE289