A large c.20m2+ / 225 sq ft Boch Freres ceramic floor c.1900

For the purist this is an excellent ceramic encaustic tile; classical in its design these 17cm square* Boch Freres, Maubeugetiles have a deep slip and are close to 2cm thick, weighing over 1 kilo each. We include in the photo gallery some scans from the original Boch Freres catalogue in our possession showing the presentation of the tiles.

*Owing to the handmade production process there are subtle variations in the tile sizes between 17cm and 17.2cm in size.

The main field tile is in cool tones of light and mid grey on off-white, with subtle burgundy piping around the principal snowflake motif. There are two border options available with the possibility to take one or both; a same size biscuit and wheat coloured helix themed border and/or a grey, cream and vanilla coloured same size border. The floor was originally laid in two downstairs reception rooms divided by French doors.

The floor did not travel far to its original home in Maubeuge, in the Nord department of France. Boch Freres had its factory there and at its peak at the beginning of the 20th century employed large numbers of the local population.

The tiles arrive ready to relay as they have been slowly and carefully cleaned of old lime based mortar on their backs, the sides have had old joints cleaned off and the faces have had old wax and dirt removed to reveal an excellent quality ceramic. Being an antique floor of over 100 years old there are minor chips and occassional nibbles on some of the tiles, all groutable and all adding to the charm and patina of what is a beautiful classical antique floor.

A ceramic encaustic fired to a temperature in excess of 1,100F, the tiles are excellent conductors and retainers of heat and can be used with underfloor heating systems as well as being laid outside where sub-zero temperatures will have no effect on the tile. They do not require sealing once laid and rewaxing is only necessary by choice should you prefer the tiles to have a satin sheen. The only maintenance required to retain their beauty is a regular washing.

Surface area +/- 20m2+ / 225 sq ft. Enquire for tile quantities by tile type.