HUNDREDS of Victorian gothic revival floor tiles removed as part of a £2m renovation of the church of St John Baptist, Cirencester, will be sold by Moore Allen & Innocent on Friday, July 25.
The encaustic terracotta tiles, by William Godwin & Sons of
Hereford, date from the last major restoration of the parish church
under Sir George Gilbert Scott in 1865-67.
The church authorities now deem limestone flags more in keeping
with the building that will also be fitted with an under-floor
heating system.
The tiles - removed from the nave and the north and south aisles
(but remaining in the chancel) - will be sold commission-free at
the Norcote salerooms. There are up to 800, 4in (10.5cm) square,
plain terracotta tiles and 60 each in four designs: a single lion,
three lions, a chequered shield and a shield with six crosses.
Each of the patterned tiles is expected to achieve up to £10 for
the restoration fund.
By Roland Arkell
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