Keramische Patroontegels: een geschiedenis

History and of the antique ceramic pattern tiles

The most important discovery for the production of antique ceramic patterned tiles wasn’t initially aimed at making these old floor tiles. The English engineer Richard Prosser originally conceived his invention to manufacture buttons, rings, and other items from the same material. This material was a fine, low-moisture powdered clay pressed between plates using a screw press. The English pottery manufacturer Herbert Minton saw potential in Prosser’s invention and purchased a share in his patent. Minton soon had several presses in use. Below are some examples from a contemporary catalog of this manufacturer, Minton.

Minton tiles cover catalog antique tiles England Antique Minton tiles catalog England

Old tiles MINTON tiles catalogue Minton tiles England

Old Minton tiles catalog Stoke on Trend Minton tiles tiles from Minton Egeland

Minton tiles and tiles from the previous century Minton floor tiles England

Minton floor tiles Minton tiles England Minton antique tiles England

antique Minton tiles England old tiles from England Minton factory

antique floors Minton England Minton tiles antique catalog England Stoke on Trend

The old dry-pressed floor tiles had many advantages over traditional antique tiles. A single experienced worker could now produce many more antique tiles per day. It was also now possible to produce well-formed antique tiles that warped little to no during firing. These antique patterned tiles also required less drying time than traditional antique tiles. The invention of dry pressing resulted in the mass production of antique ceramic floor tiles of consistent quality and affordable prices.

Front page Boch Freres blue catalogue

Manufacturer Boch Freres

The Boch family pioneered the production of antique ceramic floor tiles. Following the English example, they introduced the production of inlaid antique floor tiles. These inlaid antique motif floor tiles became a huge commercial success. The success of these antique ceramic tiles can be partly explained by the growing demand for them.

The success of Boch and Freres quickly led to the emergence of a significant number of competing antique floor tile factories in Belgium and France. Among the most important patterned ceramic tile factories operating in Belgium around 1900 were the old floor tile factory Carrelages Ceramique de Chimay, the antique floor tile factory Maufroid Freres & Soeur, the old floor tile factory SA Compagnie Generale des Produits Ceramiques de Saint-Ghislain, the antique floor tile factory SA des Carrelages et Produits Ceramiques de Chimay, and the antique patterned floor tile factory Gilliot Freres. In addition to these antique floor tiles, some factories also produced fireplace tiles and antique flagstones for heavier applications.

Just as with antique cement tiles, a significant portion of the antique ceramic floor tile production was also exported. Just as with antique cement tiles, various motifs were produced among the antique ceramic tiles: antique Art Nouveau tiles, antique Art Nouveau tiles, and antique Art Deco tiles. These traditional, artisanal floor tiles were included in the catalogs simultaneously.

The majority of our collection of antique floor tiles consists of antique ceramic tiles due to their versatility and unique appearance. All our antique floor tiles, both ceramic and cement, combine beautifully with plain tiles. This can often expand the total surface area of your old floor. Take a look at the impressions for ideas on how our tiles can be used.

buy antique tiles antique floor tiles St Ghislaine Antique tiles with floral motif

Manufacturer Octave Colozier

carrelages usine Colozier

Vintage patterned floor tiles with floral and geometric border design

Person

In 1889, Octave Colozier took over the family factory in Saint-Just-des-Marais (originally founded by his grandfather, François Colozier) and thoroughly modernized it.
He introduced technological innovations: mechanization of the production lines, construction of several “fours Hoffmann” (large industrial ovens) between about 1890 and 1913.
Thanks to this modernization, his company became a major player in the field of floor tiles / ceramic tiles in France.

The company / industrial heritage

The factory was often called “Usine Colozier” or “Manufacture Colozier” and was located in Saint-Just-des-Marais.
Originally it was a clay/baking factory (briqueterie) around 1840 by François Colozier, later transformed into the production of ceramic “carreaux” (tiles) by Octave.
Between 1906 and 1930, the factory also built workers’ houses (“cités ouvrières”) in the area, which is typical of the ‘paternalism’ of that time: the employer also provides housing.
The factory eventually closed in 1959.
The factory site was later taken over by another company (a man-made/synthetic fiber factory).

Location and meaning

Saint-Just-des-Marais was an independent municipality, but was incorporated into Beauvais in 1943.
The factory site was located near the railway line (which was logistically advantageous) and the facade of the office building from around 1910 is decorated with ceramic tiles showing the factory’s production — a kind of calling card in stone/ceramic.
According to the heritage file, the Colozier industrial complex is recognized as an important industrial heritage site: architecture, production techniques (including the Hoffmann ovens) and social housing are of historical importance.

Why interesting

It is an example of industrial modernization at the end of the 19th century / beginning of the 20th century in France, in the ceramic sector.
Colozier tiles are still collected today or reused in restorations; they are prized for their quality, decorative value, and historical value.
The company is also socially interesting: the factory provided housing, was connected to rail/infrastructure, and shows the transition from clay/brick production to ceramic floor tiles.

Here are some photos and interesting details of the Octave Colozier factory in Saint-Just-des-Marais (now part of Beauvais, Oise department) — the old “Usine Colozier”.

Photos and what you see

The facade of the office building, built around 1910 along the railway line, is decorated with tiles from the factory’s own production — a direct “showcase” of craftsmanship.
Examples from a 1913 catalog of tile motifs and border tiles produced by Colozier, including type numbers, colors and patterns.

Usine de Colozier carrelages

Additional details & context

The factory at the address “Derrière le Moulin” in Saint-Just-des-Marais (municipality of Beauvais) is described and documented in the file “Usine de carreaux de grès cérame Colozier …” which is part of the Inventaire Général du Patrimoine Culturel of the Hauts-de-France region.
Historically, the factory was a clay/briquetting factory from 1840 onwards, but under the leadership of Octave Colozier it was transformed from around 1890 onwards into the production of encrusted grès-cérame floor and wall tiles.
Production was large-scale: before World War I, the factory could produce several million tiles a year. (For example, an external source mentions “over 35 million tiles a year by 1912!” for Colozier.)
After the closure of tile production in 1959, the site was taken over by a synthetic fiber company (Novacel / now Spontex).

Tips if you want to look yourself / investigate further

When visiting the site, note the railway side of the site – this is where the decorative office building with its tiled cladding stood.
Searching for old Colozier catalogs (eg 1913) can help identify tile motifs in historic buildings or restoration projects.
For restoration or purchase: tile samples with the monogram “OC” (Octave Colozier) can prove that they are authentic Colozier tiles.
Because many of the factory buildings are now used for other purposes or are privately owned, respecting ownership and obtaining permission is essential if you wish to explore photographic terrain.

Colozier antique tiles

Colozier tiles

Colozier Carrelages

Société Anonyme La Céramique Nationale Welkenraedt

Historic factory architecture

Historical background & founding

The factory was located in Welkenraedt (Belgium), close to the border with Germany.
The origins are linked to an earlier enterprise: the company of Victor Poulet (and his children) who started producing tiles in the region, including in Forges.
From around 1904 it is mentioned that a branch for floor tiles was started in Welkenraedt, building on technology and models from Forges.
The commissioning of the name “SA La Céramique Nationale” and/or “Welkenraedt Ceramic” took place during the 20th century. According to sources, the factory was renamed Welkenraedt Ceramic SA, and the closing date is listed as November 27, 2000.

Production & specialization

The factory produced floor tiles (stoneware, “grès-cérame”) – with a strong offering of motif tiles, inlaid patterns, decorative floors.
The range became broad early on: more than 100 different decors in various colors and styles from 1910 onwards, including styles such as Art Nouveau.
Before the end of the 1950s/60s, the factory produced, among other things, floor tiles in sizes such as 20×20 cm or 30×30 cm, in earth tones, with thinner thicknesses (10-11 mm) to meet international standards.

Importance & recognition

The factory was one of the leading Belgian floor tile manufacturers of its time, thanks to its innovation and decorative possibilities.
Participation and recognition at world exhibitions: for example in Brussels (1910), Ghent (1913), Barcelona (1929) are mentioned.
The production of decorative floors made the company interesting for both residential and public buildings.

Decline & closure

Like many Belgian tile and ceramic factories, this company also encountered difficulties: international competition and changing markets.
According to a source, the factory was effectively closed on November 27, 2000 .
Another source indicates that the factory already fell into crisis in the 1950s and was later taken over, production relocated, and the site eventually abandoned around 2002.

Points of interest / interesting for antique tiles

Because the factory offered a wide range of decors and was strong in motif tiles, floor tiles with the brand “Welkenraedt” or “Céramique Nationale” or “Welkenraedt Ceramic” can be valuable antique pieces.
When identifying such a tile, it is important to pay attention to: size (such as 10×10 cm in the early days), inlaid motifs, Art Nouveau or Art Deco style, and possibly markings or location.
Because production ceased after 2000, any original piece from before that time is demonstrably historical. However, there is also a possibility of limited availability – which can be relevant for restoration or collection purposes.

Recognition features to look out for

Sizes: for example 15×15 cm or similar square sizes.
Motifs: Art Nouveau or early Art Deco decorations, often with flowers, stylized leaves, or geometric border patterns.
Imprint or mark: In the catalogue, “LA CÉRAMIQUE NATIONALE” is mentioned at the top.
Colours & glaze: typical colours from that period – for example soft blue, green, brown shades or earthy tones.
Technique: flat tile with decoration, often used as a field tile or with an edge/half-tile for a frame

Welkenraedt carlina

The supply of old floor tiles is not endless

Below, you can browse our virtual encyclopedia of antique floor tiles. You can also stay informed about the latest developments on our news page . The disadvantage of antique floor tiles is that we are limited to the floor that will be demolished. It’s either too small or too large. The ideal surface is often impossible to obtain. Due to their labor-intensive cleaning process, antique tiles are considerably more expensive than replica tiles. That’s why we started building the largest collection of cement tiles, also known as Portuguese tiles . With a standard range of 110 colors, the possibilities for creating new tiles are virtually endless.

Antique ceramic tiles Saint Ghislain

Old ceramic floor tiles ceramique de Landrecies

antique tiles Villeroy & Boch

old floor tiles France Maubeuge

Old patterned tiles

Old pattern tiles catalogue 1930s tiles

A brief history of encaustic tiles

Encaustic tiles, also known as cement tiles, have a rich and fascinating history dating back centuries. Originating in the Middle East, these decorative tiles gained popularity throughout the Islamic world before spreading to Europe and beyond. Here’s a brief overview of the history of encaustic tiles:

Origins: Encaustic tiles have their roots in the Middle East, particularly in regions such as Persia (modern-day Iran), where intricate geometric patterns and designs were commonly used in architecture and decorative arts. The earliest examples of encaustic tiles date back to the 8th century.
Islamic Influence: Encaustic tiles became widespread during the Islamic Golden Age (7th to 13th centuries), as Islamic artisans perfected the techniques for creating these intricate tiles. Islamic architecture, known for its elaborate geometric patterns and arabesque motifs, heavily featured encaustic tiles in mosques, palaces, and public buildings.
European Expansion: Encaustic tiles made their way to Europe during the Middle Ages through trade routes, particularly via Spain and Italy. They became especially popular in Spain during the Islamic rule of the Iberian Peninsula, where they adorned the Alhambra palace in Granada and other Moorish architecture.
Renaissance Revival: Encaustic tiles experienced a revival during the Renaissance in Italy, where artisans rediscovered and reinvented ancient techniques for creating decorative tiles. Renaissance architects and designers incorporated encaustic tiles into the interiors and exteriors of churches, palaces, and villas, adding color and vibrancy to their designs.
Victorian Era: Encaustic tiles reached the height of their popularity during the Victorian era in the 19th century. Improved manufacturing techniques made encaustic tiles more affordable and accessible, leading to widespread use in residential and public buildings across Europe and the United States.
Modern Resurgence: While encaustic tiles fell out of favor in the early 20th century with the rise of cheaper, mass-produced alternatives like ceramic and vinyl tiles, they experienced a resurgence in popularity in recent decades. Interior designers and homeowners alike appreciate the artisanal craftsmanship and timeless beauty of encaustic tiles, leading to a renewed interest in preserving historic tiles and creating new designs inspired by traditional patterns.

Today, encaustic tiles continue to be prized for their durability, versatility, and aesthetic appeal. Whether used to add a pop of color to a kitchen backsplash, create a stunning focal point in a bathroom, or adorn the floors of a historic building, encaustic tiles remain a beloved feature of architectural and interior design around the world.

Old floor tiles Mosaikfabrik Villeroy & Boch