Small antique French carreaux de ciment floor with rich patina c.6m2

A small, antique French carreaux de ciments floor of a total surface of +/- 6m2 / 65 sq ft+ dating from the early part of the 20th century. The floor has been reclaimed from the kitchen of a house in Herault, in the south of France. These cured tiles, 20cm square and around 2cm thick, tessellate to form a large circular motif 80cm (30 inches) square and although the pattern is ornate the palette is muted in aubergine, light grey, charcoal, mustard and off-white. The floor comes with its original vine themed same size border tiles, which, like the main field tile have cleaned well revealing a rich, time worn patina. We recommmend that the floor be re-laid with c.2mm joints as most tiles have significant edge nibbles and small to medium chips that will grout in and which add to the charm and character of the floor. The high resolution photographs below are representative of the floor as a whole.

Being a cured rather than a fired tile they should only be laid indoors unless you live in an area where sub zero temperatures with accompanying freezing and thawing doesn't occur. The tiles have a level of surface porosity similar to teracotta and they should be sealed once laid with a clear, easily applied sealant that we will provide free of charge and which will protect them against staining. Optionally, the tiles can be waxed, which will both serve to protect them but also lift their colours and add a satin finish as the photographs show the tiles in a matt state following their cleaning with a professional alkaline tile restorer.

Tile quantities, give or take one or two:-

Main field tile - 130

Large border tile - 20