Encaustic Tiles

The centre aisle of Euxton Hall Chapel is tiled with Encaustic floor tiles designed by Pugin and Minton. Herbert Minton was the first manufacturer to produce these tiles in 1830 and he worked very closely with Pugin in the design and manufacture for a whole range of buildings, not at least of which was the Palace of Westminster.

On a site visit to the chapel by a representative of Maw & Company, who are involved in producing replacement tiles for the Palace of Westminster, the tiles on the floor of the chapel were recognised as being the same as those designed by Pugin for the Palace.



The floor at Euxton Hall Chapel comprises two types of tile. The plain colours, cut into geometric shapes, are known as Geometric Tiles. The second type of tile is an Encaustic tile. These are those with coloured patterns inlaid into the surface of the tile. They were handmade during the Victorian era. Their history goes back to the 12th century and the medieval period, but their use was curtailed by Henry VIII and the closure of the monasteries. The tiles had, in the main, been produced by monks, for the decoration of their own church floors.

Encaustic Floor tiles were reintroduced in 1830 and formed and important part of interior decoration during the Gothic Revival.

Links:

The Victorian Society

The Pugin Society

Hardman & Co

Maw & Co

The Ancient Monuments Society

Jonathon & Ruth
Cooke Ltd.

Cathedral Glass