A rare find of antique Perrusson tiles c.1910

A rare find of antique handmade French ceramic full size and half size border tiles manufactured by Societe Anonyme Perrusson Fils et Desfontaines, Ecuisses in 1910. We include in the photo gallery scans from their 1910 catalogue presenting the 17cm sq full size and 17cm x 8.5cm sq half size border tiles. 

The tiles can be posed either as a continuous, same way facing run or head to head and we have shown both in the gallery, framed top and bottom by the plain bar half size borders.

The tiles are 115 years old and have a rich antique patina full of charm. Some display small chips and edge nibbles, all groutable, and the photographs are of a randomly selected section of the total available of 23 large tiles and 46 half size tiles.* The total tiles available present the opportunity for a linear lay of 391cm / 154 inches.

The tiles should be sealed once laid to both protect them and to make cleaning easier.

Perfect as a decorative element, as a kitchen or bathrooom splashback or, being a highly fired tile, inside a chimney hearth. The surface area can also be increased by introducing a plain modern ceramic, taking a colour from the tiles palette.

*plus a large number of free reject tiles containing defaults that can either be used as cuts or be integrated into the lay.

Perrusson - a brief history...

Jean-Marie Perrusson was not only known for ceramic tile production but also for the production of bricks and roof tiles. Many of the lozenge themed terracotta mechanical tiles in Burgundy bear the Perrusson hallmark. He built his first brick making factory in 1860 and started mechanical tile production in 1863, to which he added a workshop for manufacturing ceramic tiles in 1875. Further expansion of the ceramic tile production in the Saône-et-Loire was initiated (in Saint-Julien-sur-Dheune in 1866, St. Pantaleon 1870), and even beyond the department (in Sancoins Cher in 1870 and Fontafié in Charente in 1878).

The company was renamed ‘Perrusson son and Desfontaines’ in 1890 and the factory also manufactured architectural ceramics and statues. In April 1960 the factory finally closed its doors. The vast majority of the original buildings constructed in 1890/1900 are destroyed with the offices, changing rooms of the factory, the concierge and the electrical workshop the only significant remnants of the site that can still be seen.

The Perrusson factory employed 40 workers in 1860, 80 by 1874, 130 in 1890, 300 at its peak in 1900, 280 in 1930 and 130 during 1945 to 1950.

Owing to their beautiful ceramic creations the Perrusson family became wealthy and built a large villa close to their Production. The villa was decorated internally and externally with the many fine examples of their work, from roof tiles and chimney pots to faience, floor tiles and more. Sadly, with the passage of time, the villa became derelict and was eventually purchased and restored by the French state as it remains an outstanding architectural statement of some of the finest ceramic work of the period. It can be visited for a small entrance fee and we include some photographs of the restored villa and a link can be found here to the Perrusson Villa website.