Fabrique de carrelages modern style en ciment comprime

Includes color lithographs showing the tiles available for purchase.



"Oblong 12mo. 9 x 4.75 in. [2 pp.] With 24 colour lithograph plates printed on thick glossy paper stock, ornamental company logo for Morret on versos. Rust-coloured cloth backed colour illustrated softcovers, elaborate Art Nouveau inspired front cover with decorative tile border. First edition, thus of this very scarce salesman's sample catalogue of Art Nouveau ceramic tiles, including vividly illustrated in colour lithography, samples of the various lines offered by the company. Founded during France's Belle Epoque, the company began developing decorative tiles for tile stoves, glazed majolica mosaic tiling with distinctive patterns, garden and cemetery tiles, special relief tiling of buildings, and building facades at the end of the 19th century. These exquisite plates offer some of the most vivid samples of Arts & Crafts and Art Nouveau tiling samples we have seen in a trade catalogue, with geometric patterns worthy of an Escher print, and splendid colour lithography. Many of these tile patterns have a distinct flavor reminiscent of those seen in California Arts & Crafts tiles produced not only for flooring and architectural ornament, but also featured in furniture as well. The printer was active in producing finely lithographed catalogues and government publications in and around Lyon, France from 1910-1914. See: Christian Bertheas, Histoire du carreau de ciment, pp. 61-62." -- description by Zephyr Used & Rare Books