7.3m2 Boch Freres ceramic floor c.1881 - c.1900

A rare, handmade French ceramic encaustic floor of +/- 17cm sq field and border tiles for which all four border corner tiles are present.

Reclaimed from a turn of the century property in the suburbs of the city of Orleans, the floor totals 7.3m2 / 79 sq ft. 

Manufactured by Carrelages Ceramiques de Boch Freres, Maubeuge (NORD) the tiles appear as early as 1881 and then in the 1900 catalogue and we include in the photo gallery scans from their catalogues showing the tiles. Arriving ready to relay, these ceramics have restored beautifully, as photographs of a random selection of the floor testifies.

Total surface area - 7.3m2+ /79 sq ft+

Country of Origin - France

Manufacturer - Carrelages Ceramiques Boch Freres, Maubeuge (NORD)

Dating -  1900 catalogue

Tile size - +/- 17.2cm / 7 inches

Tile thickness - variable but generally +/- 16mm

Weight per tile - 1.3kg / 46 ounces

Border lay - Single same size border

Underfloor heating systems - Yes

Indoor / Outdoor application - Both

Tile quantities:-

Field tiles - 185 - 5.4m2 / 58sq ft.

Large border  - 62 plus 4 corners 1.94 m2 / 20.9sq ft. or 11.4 linear metres / 37.2 linear feet

Tile size, thickness and tones
Antique tiles were most commonly made in single or two tile moulds. Before current computer automation methods their moulds were made my hand and the colour slips mixed by eye. Kiln temperatures could also be variable, as could the firing time. The result is that often tiles display subtle size and thickness variations and there can be tonal variations in colours, owing to the slip mixing and/or firing time. All of this makes these handmade tiles unique and adds to their charm. Some floors display their subtle variations in size and tones, some not, but when photographing we always take a random section of the floor so that it is representative of the whole. A tiler should always dry lay a section of the tiles to familiarise himself with them before starting to fix lay.

Condition 
All of our floors go through rigorous quality control during the restoration process. We include tiles which have groutable small chips and edge nibbles, expected of tiles more than 100 years old , but include for free any rejects, which the tiler can then use for offcuts. The photographs in the gallery are of a c.1.5m2 / 16 sq ft.randomly taken sample of the larger floor and therefore representative of the whole floors condition and patina.

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..