A 10m2 to 12m2 antique Maufroid Frères et Sœur ceramic 1879 - 1912

A Belgian ceramic encaustic floor manufactured by Carrelages Céramiques de Chimay, Maufroid Freres & Soeur, Rue Poncet, Bourlers, Henegouwen, Belgium, who later became: S.A. La Céramique de Bourlers. Maufroid Freres et Soeur and traded as such between 1879 and 1912. The reverse of the tiles bears the Maufroid rings and centralised 'M'.

Totaling c.10m2 to 12m2 / 132 sq ft these period ceramic tiles, are +/- 16.3cm sq and +/- 15mm thick. 

We have included in the gallery a photograph of the floor pre-lifting from its original home close to Gembloux in Belgium. The photograph shows the layout of the floor using its principal field tiles and its motif tiles. There are two individual tiles which construct the central motif and the corner motifs, both of which we have replicated in photographing a random section of the floor. This is a difficult floor to photograph as the motif should obviously be centralised and we cannot do that without laying out the whole floor but we have integrated the motif in the photography simply to show it in a context. Twin back-to-back borders, using two different tiles in the border run, frame the floor and there is also a secondary border tile also available. This tile can be integrated into the border run or can be used in different ways within the floor, for example, to create an internal frame within the floor. As can be seen, this tile was originally fixed on the wall as a plinth, acting as skirting, a common period application and course something than could also be done now.

In the photo gallery we have also included scans from an original 1908 Maufroid Freres et Soeur catalogue in our possession showing the tiles and, as can be seen, the layout of the tiles in their original home exactly replicated one of the pages.

The floor has cleaned well of its old wax and mortar; the faces show no signs of wear and the ceramic in excellent condition. A small number of tiles display groutable edge nibbles expected of a floor of between 108 years and 141 years old. Owing to being a handmade tile produced in small batches there is some tonal variation in colours, all adding to its charm and uniqueness. A  highly fired tile, it can be laid inside or outside of the home as high summer and sub-zero temperatures will have no effect on the ceramic and they will also work efficiently with under floor heating systems.

A beautiful floor, rich in detail and framed by lush borders though symmetrically balanced and in a palette which allows for the easy distribution of light.

We are happy, and without obligation, to look at the potential best fit of this floor in your chosen area, requiring just a sketch with key dimensions.

Tile quantities, give or take one or two: -

FIELD – 191 tiles – 5.3m2m2 / 57.2sq ft

MOTIF – full tile motif – 12 tiles – 0.3m2 / 3.5 sq ft.

MOTIF – half tile motif – 21 tiles – 0.6m2 / 6.2 sq ft.

LARGE BORDER - Gallery Ref B - 67 tiles  – 1.7m2 / 18.6 sq ft 

LARGE BORDER - Gallery Ref C - 64 tiles – 1.7m2 / 18.6 sq ft 

LARGE BORDER corner tiles - 11 (requiring one be mitre cut) - 0.4m2 / 4.3 sq ft.

OPTIONAL PLINTH BORDER tile - 77 tiles - 2m2 / 21.7 sq ft.