A large run of antique ceramic borders - 1900

A large run of antique ceramic border tiles manufactured in 1900 by Carrelages Ceramiques de Boch Freres, Maubeuge, France. We include in the photo gallery scans from their period catalogue presenting the tiles.

These large, heavy, quality, handmade tiles are +/-17.2cm square and weigh c.1.4kgs each (6.8 inches / 3lbs)

There are 44 regular borders and 10 border corners available, providing options for either a conventional border run of the tiles or for creating several frames within which could be a modern ceramic or an antique wood parquet.

Owing to their handmade production there are tonal variations in the slip and the photographs are of a randomly selected section of just less than half of the total tiles available. The tiles have cleaned well, there are small defaults and edge nibbles, all groutable and adding to the charm of their antique patina. A small number of tiles display surface capillary cracks, formed when the tile was cooling after leaving the kiln after firing.

Perfect as a decorative border run or fixed to walls as frames, splashbacks, in inglenooks, showers etc...

NOTE
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.