A Rare Masterpiece of 19th-Century French Ceramic Artistry - 1881
An extraordinary and regal ensemble of antique French floor tiles, meticulously crafted by the renowned and award-winning ceramicists, Boch Frères of Maubeuge—masters of their art and custodians of European decorative excellence. These tiles, featured in their 1881 catalogue, exemplify the opulence and precision of late 19th-century ceramic production during France’s architectural renaissance.
Each handmade tile, measuring approximately c.6.8 inches square and c.0.7 inches thick, weigh more than 50 oz—a testament to the quality and durability demanded by grand European interiors of the period. The total surface, a remarkable 237 square feet, presents a complete and visually arresting floor of museum-worthy distinction.
Lovingly reclaimed from an elegant period property near Maubeuge, along with a companion floor of equal stature (see link below), the floor has been fastidiously restored tile by tile. The aged wax, surface dirt, and original mortar have been expertly removed, leaving the tiles in superb condition—ready to be relaid and admired once more. 144 years old but good for another 144 years. Handmade in production, the tiles display subtle tonal variations, all adding to its antique patina, charm and uniqueness.
The floor features a majestic central motif: a richly ornamented roundel that opens in a four-tile tessellation, framed with finesse by a harlequin border of identical dimensions, laid in duplicate, back to back. The complete set of all 16 rare red-on-grey border corner tiles have been recovered. Of the harlequin “rendezvous” tiles, 13 of 16 remain; however, the tiler will find the regular border tiles lend themselves to accurate replication of the missing tiles and we have included in the photo gallery a digitally rendered schematic to illustrate the cuts required for both options.
Inventory Overview:
- Field Tiles: 531 tiles (approx. 171 sq ft)
- Regular Border Tiles: 175 tiles including 16 corners
- Harlequin Rendezvous Border Tiles: 13 tiles
- Total Border Length: 57.8 linear feet, laid double-width
This floor embodies more than mere function—it is an artwork underfoot, a physical echo of the Belle Époque, awaiting its next chapter in a space worthy of its history.
For details of the second floor recovered from the same property click here.
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