Antique unglazed encaustic floor tiles c.1880 - with double borders

A magnificent antique ceramic floor c.1880, totalling 16.2m2/175 sq ft, and with its original ornate border tiles. Both the principal tiles and border tiles are 16cm sq / 6 ¼ inches sq and are marked ‘M’; the inscription for Ceramiques de Chimay, Maufroid Freres et Soeur. The date of the tiles is validated in the publication, ‘Carreaux industriels 1840-1940’ on page 66 where the identical tile is photographed and documented – a scan of this page is shown in the photographic record of this floor below.

The tessellation is classical and geometric yet also boldly bourgeois with ornate motifs set in purples, blues, burnt red and caramel as well as off-white with the border tiles embracing a more gothic revival theme in the same palette.

The floor, which is in very good condition, has a very pleasing patina. It has been steam cleaned to remove old wax and the colours on evidence are as vibrant now as the day they were fired. All the corner tiles are present although two are a little damaged but can either be in-filled on laying or be mitre-cut from the existing borders.

This is a floor which would be ‘the hero’ in any large entrance hallway, dining or drawing room or could be a major central feature in a much larger room, framed by a complimentary plain tile or antique hardwood parquet like a magnificent ornamental rug. Being ceramic the floor can be re-laid inside or outside and is suitable for under-floor heating systems.