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Antique floor FR21
Antique floor tiles FR21
Old ceramic carrelages FR21
Old Fliesen FR21
We found this small floor in a Parisian suburb. A truly unique expression of French ceramic art, this beautifully restored antique tiled floor is as rare as it is exquisite. Covering a total area of 8 m² , it retains its original triple border , a beautiful frame that subtly guides the eye to the finely detailed floor tiles in the center. We don’t find them like this very often! Antique tiled floors from Boch Freres have become extremely rare in recent years…
The floor was handcrafted between 1881 and 1900 by Carrelages Céramiques Boch Frères , Maubeuge. Each tile—both the full-size (14×14 cm) and half-size (7 cm x 14 cm) tiles—was made with care and craftsmanship. These rare tiles were never mass-produced; their subtle decor and soft tonal variations testify to their handcrafting. In the photo gallery, you can see the base stamp, which confirms the provenance. Scans of an original Boch Frères catalogue from 1881 are also included.
After removing the remaining mortar, the floor tile was restored to its original beauty, tile by tile, revealing a truly unique whole. Minor traces of age—small chips and edge damage—remain present, but can be fully repointed and contribute to the authenticity and antique patina of this handmade ensemble.
Proportions of old tiles 14×14 cm
All our antique floors are unique pieces and are therefore always sold in their entirety.
The antique floors shown on this website are just a selection of our entire selection. Visit our showroom for the most up-to-date inventory.
These are antique ceramic tiles. They are fired and therefore ideal for use in wet areas (e.g., walk-in showers). A patio is also an option, as these tiles are frost-resistant and retain their color.
These antique tiles are over 100 years old and in good condition; some have small holes or chips that can be repaired with grout, but the antique patina of the floor does not detract from the strength of this excellent ceramic. Because they are fired at a high temperature, the tiles can be installed both indoors and outdoors, making them ideal for a patio, summer house (where the floral pattern beautifully connects house and garden), garden path, or conservatory. If chosen for indoor use, they can be combined with underfloor heating, as the tiles are excellent heat conductors and heat retainers.
Note: Antique ceramic tiles were typically made in molds for one or two tiles. Before the advent of computer-automated production methods, molds were made by hand, and the clay colors were mixed visually. That is, by eye. Kiln temperatures and firing times could also vary. As a result, the tiles often exhibit slight variations in size and thickness, and the colors may vary slightly due to the mixing process or firing time. These unique characteristics make handmade antique tiles special and give them their charm. Some floors clearly show these subtle differences, others less so, but when photographing, a random section of the floor is always chosen to represent the entire piece. A tiler is advised to dry-lay a test section to become familiar with the tiles before starting the final installation.
An antique floor instantly adds character and authenticity to any room. While a new floor often looks sleek and uniform, an antique floor exudes warmth, history, and craftsmanship. Consider, for example, an antique tile floor with beautiful patterns that have endured for generations, or antique paving stones whose natural wear creates a unique and lived-in look. An antique wooden floor also brings timeless elegance to your home: the grain patterns, color variations, and small imperfections together tell a story that no new floor can ever match.
Reusing a reclaimed floor offers not only an aesthetic advantage but also a sustainable alternative. Reusing original materials extends its lifespan and reintegrates past craftsmanship into the present. This way, you’re choosing not only an exclusive look but also a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution.
Whether you’re restoring a historic building or enriching a modern interior with contrast and warmth, an antique floor always provides the perfect foundation. The combination of beauty, quality, and heritage makes every antique tile floor, every set of tiles, and every wooden plank a valuable investment. This way, you literally lay the foundation for an interior with character, style, and a story that will last for generations.
An antique floor is the ideal way to add character and warmth to an interior. While a new floor often looks sleek and perfect, an antique floor exudes authenticity and history. An antique tile floor with elegant patterns immediately creates ambiance, while antique tiles, with their weathered appearance, give a room a robust and timeless character. An antique tile floor also tells a story. By choosing these floors, you’re making a sustainable choice: materials are reused and given a second life. This way, you combine style, craftsmanship, and sustainability in one unique foundation for your home. Come see for yourself in our showroom. FLOORZ has the largest collection in the Netherlands.
An antique floor is more than just a functional base for your interior; it is a timeless way to bring character, history, and atmosphere into your home. Every surface, from weathered natural stone tiles to robust terracotta planks, tells a story of craftsmanship and generations past. While modern floors often appear sleek and uniform, an antique floor radiates authenticity: subtle imperfections, color variations, and signs of wear make each tile or plank unique. An antique tile floor adds elegance and refinement, while antique terracotta tiles create a strong and characterful charm. Thanks to careful restoration and reuse, an antique floor can enjoy a second life, combining sustainability with style. In historic buildings, an antique floor enhances the original ambiance, while in modern interiors it can form a striking contrast that adds depth and personality. Choosing an antique floor is not only an investment in a beautiful interior, but also in heritage, quality, and timeless design. It makes your home more unique, personal, and visually captivating. An antique floor is therefore a valuable addition that can be admired for generations, giving every space a distinctive and enduring appeal.
An old one is also a simple basis for interior design; it is a matter of time with the character, history and ambiance of the house. Chaque surface, with the roughness of the carreaux and pierre natural patinés of the older robustes, with a history of savoir-faire and the generations passed. Because of the modern equipment of souvent uniforms and garments, their age is unique and authentic: the imperfections, the variations of the color and the traces of the custom are unique. An old carrelage with elegance and refinement, despite the old age, with a solid charm and character. Grateful for restoration and reutilization, a lifetime of living for a second, allied to durability and style. The historical background of the buildings, the ambiance of the origin, the modern interior design, the creation of a contrast between a professional and personal character. Choosing a lifetime is a matter of investment in beauty, quality and contemporary design. Il rent votre maison unique, chaleureuse et visuellement captivante. Since we were young we were very proud of ourselves, with admiration for the generations and with a distinctive charm in a charming space.
What else do we know about the manufacturer Boch Freres in Maubeuge?
Basics & history
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Boch Frères is originally an extension of the Villeroy & Boch family’s ceramic heritage. They produced stoneware and inlaid floor tiles from the mid-19th century onwards.
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In order to better supply the French market without customs hurdles, the production of inlaid tiles moved from the factory in Luxembourg/Belgium (La Louvière) to a new factory in Louvroil, near Maubeuge, in northern France in the late 1850s/early 1860s.
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The factory in Louvroil / Maubeuge was set up in 1861 (formal foundation).
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By 1870, Boch Frères already had around a hundred different floor patterns in its range.
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Production continued to grow strongly: by the early 20th century, hundreds of people were employed there and several steam engines and furnaces were operating.
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Production at Maubeuge/Louvroil eventually ceased around 1936, partly due to changing tastes and market conditions.
Products & techniques
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Boch Frères tiles were manufactured using the “dust-press / dry-press” technique: that is, mixtures of dry clay were strongly pressed to form tile blocks/tesserae, allowing for inlay/inlaid patterns.
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Their floor tiles were usually heavy (± 1.25 – 1.4 kg per tile), quite thick — often around 16–18 mm — and of high density.
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Patterns ranged from geometric to floral, sometimes with “cabouchon”-like elements, mosaic motifs, leaf or foliate motifs, etc.
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Due to the manual pressing and firing process (variable temperatures, batch production), tiles can exhibit subtle variations: in color, tone, texture, and size. This makes each tile slightly different—adding to its charm and authenticity.
Reach & importance
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Boch Frères tiles were not only used in France, but exported to numerous countries — their floors found their way to Belgium, the UK, the Netherlands, Italy, and even to markets further afield.
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Boch Frères contributed significantly to the spread and popularity of encaustic tiles in the 19th and early 20th centuries, and had a major influence on the European tile industry.
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The success of Boch Frères also led to the emergence of competition: former Boch directors and employees later set up their own tile manufacturers — which greatly diversified ceramic production in northern France and Belgium.
What makes Boch tiles recognizable and appreciated
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Strong, thick stoneware tiles with robust quality — suitable for intensive use, both indoors and outdoors.
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Aesthetically refined patterns, with classic, often geometric or floral designs — beautiful in historic buildings or restorations.
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Authentic charm: Due to manual production and craftsmanship, each tile has slight variations — which gives the floor character and “liveliness.”
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Historical value: a direct link to the industrial ceramic history of Northern France and Belgium, and to the widespread use of encaustic and inlaid floors in Europe.
Additional specifications:
Category: Antique floor tiles
Thickness: average 16 mm
Suitable for: Floor tiles and wall tiles
Production: Baked tiles
Impregnation: No, impregnation is not necessary.
Underfloor heating: yes, suitable for underfloor heating
Anti-slip value: R10
Surface: glazed.
Cleaning: All cleaning agents are possible
Color differences: Yes, possibly present
Plain tiles available: Yes
Matching wall tiles available: zelliges tiles
Border tiles available: Yes, usually
Country of origin: Patterned tiles from France
Material: baked clay and iron oxide color pigments
Weight: 37 kg per m2
Handmade: Yes, each piece is handmade
Alternative cheaper floor tiles: Portuguese floor tiles
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