8m2 to 9m2 antique French ceramic encaustic floor with triple borders

A small, antique French ceramic encaustic floor produced by Manufacturers Ceramiques Montplaisir in the early twentieth century and reclaimed from a kitchen of a townhouse in Hazebrouck in the Nord department of Northern France, close to the Belgian border. The main field tile and large border are 14.5cm square with the large border framed by a half size border in duplicate. The floor totals more than 8m2 / 85 sq ft+. 

The palette is warm and the design rich and indulgent with a strong ecclesiastical theme harking back to the French style of the late 19th century Napoleon III period (UK: Victorian). Owing to the handmade method of making the tiles in the period there is some variation in their colour which only adds to their charm and patina. The high resolution photographs below are of a random section of the floor and are representative of the whole. The floor is in good condition, the ceramic is quality, the slip is deep, there is no surface wear and the presence of small grout-able chips and edge nibbles on a small number of tiles are to be expected of a floor of this age.

There are two large border corner tiles and five small border corner tiles, so two and three will need to be mitre cut respectively.

The floor does not require sealing or waxing once laid as only a regular washing is required to maintain its beauty. Being a highly fired ceramic it can be laid inside or outside of the home as high summer and sub zero temperatures will not effect the structure of the tile. It will also work superbly with under-floor heating systems.

Tile quantities, give or take one or two:-

Field tiles - 300 (6m2+)

Large border tiles* - 51 + 2 corners - 1m2 or 7.8 linear metres/  25.5 linear  ft+

Small border tiles -  102 + 4 corners - 1m2 or 15.5 linear metres / 50.5 linear ft+