17.5m2 Paray le Monial triple border ceramic - 1911

A recently reclaimed and now fully restored French ceramic encaustic floor totalling c.17m2 / 185 sq ft which offers a wonderful glimpse into the craftsmanship of Carrelages Céramiques de Paray-le-Monial in 1911. The floor is a triumph of geometrical design in cool tones, the prinicpal field tiles complimented by a same size border and finely balanced half-sized band themed border tiles which are laid in duplcate. The arrangement creates a rhythm across the surface that feels both historic and surprisingly modern, especially with the inclusion of teal—a colour choice that bridges eras with quiet sophistication.

Both the principal field tiles and large border tiles are 14.1cm / 5.5 inches sq.

For provenance we have included in the photo gallery scans from the original 1911 Paray-le-Monial catalogue. These archival materials not only authenticate the floor's lineage but also celebrate the enduring aesthetic legacy of early 20th-century French design. A randomly selected section of the actual floor has been photographed to reflect its restored state, capturing the interplay of geometry and ornamentation.

The ceramic itself is in excellent condition; while a few tiles show faint edge nibbles or minor groutable chips, the overall integrity remains robust. Being highly fired and nearly non-porous, these tiles are ideal for modern installations, including compatibility with underfloor heating systems—a seamless blend of antique elegance and present-day comfort.

This floor isn’t just a surface. It’s a conversation between centuries, a living mosaic of Paray-le-Monial’s artistic pride and enduring utility.

Tile quantities by tile type:-

FIELD TILES - 675 - 13.5m2 / 145 sq ft.

LARGE BORDER TILES - 100 plus 4 corners - 2.1m2 / 22.4 sq ft. - 14.7 linear metres / 48 linear ft.

SMALL BORDER TILES - 185 plus 6 corners - 1.9m2 / 20.2 sq ft. - 26 linear metres / 85.6 linear ft.

NOTE
Antique tiles were most commonly made in single or two tile moulds. Before current computer automation methods their moulds were made by 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.