A small 3.4m2 / 37 sq ft. Boch Freres ceramic c.1881

A small, handmade period French ceramic totalling 3.4m2 / 37 sq ft. 

Consisting of a geometrically tessellating 17cm / 6.7-inch sq. field tile and its original same-size borders, they were made in small batches as early as 1881 and, for provenance, we include a scan from the original Carrelages Ceramiques Boch Freres, Maubeuge catalogue in our possession, showing the presentation of these fine tiles, which weigh over 1.2 kgs / 2,6 lbs each.

An excellent ceramic with crisp colours, the tiles have restored well, revealing a deep slip on a quality, highly-fired ceramic. As expected of a floor that is over 140 years old, some tiles display small chips and edge nibbles, all groutable and all adding to its beautiful patina.

A perfect floor for a small bathroom or porch or as a carpet-style feature in a larger area framed by a complimentary ceramic or antique parquet.

Tile Quantities

FIELD tiles - 74 - 2.1m2 / 22.6 sq ft.

LARGE BORDER tiles (Clover themed) - 46* - 1.3m2 / 14 sq ft. or 8 linear metres / 26 linear feet 

*plus 3 free tiles with chips for use as halves or corner tile mitres

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 tiles often 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.