A 9.25m2 Hippolyte Boulenger ceramic - 1922

This 1922 French ceramic floor is more than just a reclaimed architectural element—it's a chapter from the golden age of European tile craftsmanship. Originating from Carrelages en Grès Cérame Hippolyte Boulenger in Vitry-sur-Seine, France, the tiles represent an enduring legacy of a man whose influence rippled across the decorative arts of the early 20th century. Hippolyte Boulenger, born in Belgium to French parents, was a towering figure in ceramics—his ateliers produced everything from finely glazed tableware to intricate faience, and his work is still celebrated today for its elegance and technical mastery.

The floor totals 9.25 m2 / 100 square feet. Each tile is precisely 14.2cm / 5.6 inches sq. and the layout forms a classically geometric pattern—a testament to the precise visual language of the period. The design is restrained and sophisticated, rendered in a cool palette comprised of muted blues, greys, and off-white, echoing the early Art Deco aesthetic that was beginning to influence architectural decoration across Europe. In summary, a floor that delivers in design and palette to the aspirations of a modern yet tradition-steeped society.

Included in the listing are scans from Boulenger’s period catalogue, a tangible link giving provenance to the tile's original conception and manufacture. 

After careful restoration, the ceramics have regained their original luster. The images in the gallery show a randomly selected section of the floor, revealing its strong preservation—just the occasional groutable edge nibbles or small chip on a few tiles, typical of antique tiles and commensurate with the passing of time. Their high firing and near-zero surface porosity make them ideal not only for decorative indoor settings but also for outdoor installations or modern homes using underfloor heating systems.

Tile quantities, give or take one or two:-

FIELD tiles  - 390 - 7.9m2 / 84.6 sq. ft

BORDER tiles - 70 plus 4 corners - 1.5m2 / 16 sq. ft or 10.5 linear metres / 34.5 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.