40 antique Perrusson et Fils French ceramic tiles - 1900

40 antique ceramic encaustic tiles manufactured by Perrusson et Fils, Ecuisses, France in 1900. For provenance, a scan from their period catalogue is shown in the photo gallery.

40 x 17cm sq / 6.7 inch tiles, totalling 1.1m2 / 12 sq ft.

The tiles form a repeating pattern built around a stylized lotus flower and its lush tendrils.  This simplified, almost geometric lotus motif reflects the influence of Orientalist design, which was popular in late 19th-century European decorative arts. The overall effect is one of balance and calm, with the lotus symbolizing purity, renewal, and spiritual awakening — meanings often associated with the flower in both Eastern and Western traditions. 17mm / 0.67 inches thick and weighing over 1.4kg / 3 lbs each these are pedigree heritage ceramics. 

Ideal as a kitchen or bathroom splash-back, as a decorative feature, in a small toilet or as a carpet style feature in a larger area, surrounded by a plain ceramic or an antique wood. Given the tiles weight of over 45kgs / 100 lbs, it is likely that these will only ship economically if included in the pallet of a larger order.

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 Sons 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 from 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 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.