An 18m2 / 194 sq ft Saint Ghislain ceramic with double borders - 1897

Not merely a reclaimed ceramic tile—this fully restored floor is a surviving and unique fragment of Belgium’s industrial and decorative heritage, handmade in 1897 by the Société Anonyme Compagnie Générale Produits Céramiques de Saint-Ghislain. At the time Saint-Ghislain was one of the most important ceramic centres in Europe, its factories powered by coal, and its hundreds of artisans producing tiles that graced fine homes, churches, and civic buildings across the continent.

The floor’s design reflects the refined tastes of the late 19th century: a floral-themed composition built from two distinct 15cm (5.9 inch) field tiles opening up their linked design in four tile tessellations—one forming a heraldic cross, the other blossoming in its styalised floral theme. The borders, both full and half-size, are ornate and fluid, with the larger tile embracing a lace-like motif that speaks to the era’s fascination with textile-inspired ornamentation.

Each tile was produced in twin moulds, a slow and meticulous process carried out by hand by the factory’s skilled workers who worked at the Saint-Ghislain factory shown in the photo gallery. The floor’s presence in the 1897 catalogue confirms its provenance and places it firmly within the golden age of Belgian ceramic production, when manufacturers competed for medals at international exhibitions and exported their wares across Europe and beyond.

Now fully restored and in excellent condition, this 18m² / 194 sq ft floor retains its original charm and integrity. Minor edge nibbles and groutable chips on a small number of tiles, traces of its long life, all add to its antique patina charm. Its symmetry, palette, and craftsmanship make it not only a decorative surface but a living artefact—a quiet witness to the artistry and ambition of a bygone era.

Tile quantities, give or take one or two:-

Field tiles – 'Internal motif tile' - 315 - 7m2 /  75 sq ft.

Field tiles - 'Framing tile' - 325 - 7.3m2 / 79 sq ft.

Large border tiles -  95 plus 4 corners – 2.2m2 / 23.7 sq ft. –  14.4 linear metres / 47.2 linear ft.

Half size border tiles - 135 plus 3 corners - 1.5m2 / 16.5 sq ft. - 20.4 linear metres / 67 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.