The Textile Trunk

The Textile Trunk Antique & Vintage European textiles ~ Grainsack fabric, printed French textiles, French linen, grai Our selection is ever changing and we ship worldwide.

The Textile Trunk is the place to discover the highest quality antique and vintage European textiles. Our collection is vast and eclectic, including linen and hemp grain sacks; hand-woven, homespun linen and hemp yardage; hessian French printed grainsacks; French floral and printed fabric; mangle cloths; heavy hemp for use as stair runners; French linen and hemp sheets; French ticking fabric; wond

erful hand-woven towels, and passementerie trim from all over Europe. The range of antique and vintage textiles available to you includes items to complement all styles, from simple and rustic interiors, to the most elaborate and exquisite of decors. We work directly with many designers, private collectors, retail outlets, museums, and those seeking individual and high quality textiles for their home. Please come and explore the elegance of the past that we can bring to your home today.

06/20/2026

1932–1933 Isidore Leroy.
A book like this comes along once in a very long while.
This extraordinary French wallpaper sample book measures a huge 18 x 12.5 inches and is over 3.5 inches thick at the spine, containing approximately 150 pages of original wallpaper samples from one of France’s most celebrated manufacturers.
Every turn of the page reveals another surprise… bold Art Deco geometrics, dazzling metallic designs, romantic florals, scenic papers, historic revival patterns, children’s wallpapers, and some of the most wonderful color combinations imaginable.
What makes it even more special are the original presentation cards showing the wallpapers installed in fashionable French interiors of the period. These glimpses into 1930s decorating are absolutely fascinating and bring the wallpapers to life in a way rarely seen today.
Founded in Paris in 1842, Isidore Leroy became one of the most important wallpaper houses in Europe, celebrated for both technical innovation and artistic excellence. By the 1930s they were producing some of the most exciting wallpapers of the Art Deco era.
This isn’t simply a sample book. It’s a complete archive of French decorative history.
A museum-worthy survivor and one of the finest wallpaper books I’ve had the pleasure of handling in 25 years.
frenchantiques interiordesign designhistory artdecointeriors vintagewallpaper antiquewallpaper textiletrunk rarebooks paperantiques

Some pieces blur the line between art and history... and this is one of them.Dating to c1920, this extraordinary French ...
06/16/2026

Some pieces blur the line between art and history... and this is one of them.

Dating to c1920, this extraordinary French textile drawing comes from the Lyon region, the heart of France's legendary silk weaving industry. Known as a *mise en carte* or loom chart, it was originally created as a working guide for mechanical looms, with every tiny square representing instructions that would transform an artist's vision into woven fabric.

What makes this example so special is its breathtaking scale and color. The monumental paisley design, surrounded by scrolling flowers, foliage, and decorative flourishes, feels surprisingly modern despite being more than 100 years old. The vibrant orange ground is simply spectacular, setting off soft blues, greens, lavender, cream, yellow, and plum tones throughout the composition.

These charts were never intended to survive. They were workshop tools, folded, handled, and used daily in the textile mills of Lyon. Today, surviving examples offer a rare glimpse into the artistry and technical skill behind France's luxury textile industry.

At 62 x 34 inches, this is not just a document ~ it's a statement piece. Industrial decor, textile history, and wall art all in one remarkable survivor.

The antique of the future, ready to be passed down from generation to generation.

06/09/2026

Provençal ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️That incredible blue silk! The floral lining! The tiny bell buttons on the cuffs! After more than 25 years of collecting textiles, pieces like this still make my heart skip a beat.

An exceptionally rare c1850 Provençal jacket, entirely hand sewn and lined in the most wonderful calico Indienne floral cotton. The rich silk exterior opens to reveal a hidden garden of pink flowers and blue leaves, while the original metal bells still dangle from the cuffs.

These garments were never meant to survive 175 years. Worn, cherished, repaired, and passed through generations, most disappeared long ago. To find one still retaining so many original details is a rare treat indeed.

I love imagining the woman who once wore this through the villages and countryside of Provence.

A true antique to be passed down from generation to generation. ❤️

frenchtextiles textilecollector museumquality silkjacket 19thcentury provencefrance antiquefashion historicaldress textileart thetextiletrunk

Eclectic wall decor anyone ?? I’ve had the pleasure of handling antique textiles for decades, but this extraordinary co...
05/12/2026

Eclectic wall decor anyone ?? I’ve had the pleasure of handling antique textiles for decades, but this extraordinary complete French fencing set is one of the most atmospheric sporting antiques I’ve ever found ~

Discovered in the attic of a grand château in northern France, this remarkable survivor includes the original canvas fencing jacket, mesh mask, glove, eye protection goggles, three épées, and even the original carrying bag still marked in blue paint: “PHALEN” ~ likely the surname of the original owner or fencing master. The worn luggage labels remain attached to the bag, quietly telling the story of travel, competition, and years of use. Constantinople ?

The fencing jacket still carries its original maker’s label:

“Etablissements HouzryArmes Escrime Sports31 Boulevard Voltaire Paris”

Boulevard Voltaire was one of the great sporting and fencing districts of Paris during the late 19th and early 20th century, home to celebrated fencing suppliers, military outfitters, and sword makers. Fencing in France at this time was not simply a sport ~ it was deeply tied to military training, aristocratic education, and the culture of honor and discipline.

The heavy canvas fencing jacket with its beautiful early construction and bone buttons dates from the late 1800’s into the very early 1900’s. The asymmetrical closure and protective lower strap are wonderful early details rarely surviving today.

There is something incredibly moving about finding a complete set like this untouched for generations. You can almost picture the salle d’armes, the lessons, the competitions, and the long journey back into storage beneath the château roof beams. I’ve just listed it in my Etsy store now , link in profile ! ###
sallearmes epée vintagefencing antiquetextiles frenchchateau sportsantiques historicalfashion fencinghistory antiquefinds textiletrunk primitiveantiques antiquecollector franceantiques museumworthy decorinspiration vintagefrance antiquelife rareantiques frenchsporting 19thcentury fencingmask historicaldecor frenchhistory equestrianstyle cabinetofcuriosities

Some buying trips through France seem to have their own story waiting for me ~ certain textiles suddenly begin appearing...
05/09/2026

Some buying trips through France seem to have their own story waiting for me ~ certain textiles suddenly begin appearing everywhere I turn, almost as if they’ve chosen the trip themselves! This time, it was quilts turn.

I just kept finding the most wonderful quilts ~ faded florals, earthy tones, delicate block prints, paisleys, hand stitched treasures, soft worn cottons… one after another they appeared, and before long I was completely surrounded by them !!!

I’m only just beginning to list all of the amazing quilts I was so fortunate to find on this trip, and I honestly can’t wait to share them with you all ~ each one has its own personality, history, and feeling. Some are humble and primitive, others wonderfully romantic and floral, but every single one carries the warmth of the hands and homes that loved them before us.

I feel endlessly grateful to textiles ~ they’ve brought so much beauty, inspiration, adventure, and connection into my life over the years. And I’m equally grateful for all of you who love these old treasures as deeply as I do. It means the world to share this passion with people who truly understand the magic of old cloth and the comfort and soul these pieces bring into a home ~

Now I have to ask… which quilt is your favorite?!!

I’ve just listed these in my Etsy store now ! ( link in profile ) 25 years of searching markets, collections , brocantes...
05/08/2026

I’ve just listed these in my Etsy store now ! ( link in profile ) 25 years of searching markets, collections , brocantes, and forgotten cupboards across France has led me to these incredible antique linens ~ and lately I’ve been having such fun giving some of them new life with the most beautiful soft dyes! ~

These wonderful early French linens date from the 1700’s and 1800’s and every single one has its own texture, drape, weight, and personality. Some are floppy and fluid, some heavy and bouncy, all with those glorious irregular handwoven textures that only true antique linen has ~

I’ve recently dyed them in the dreamiest tones ~ cornflower blue, mulberry mauve, turquoise blue, dusty rose, coral pink and rich berry pink. The colors settle so beautifully into the old fibers and give them such warmth and soul ~

I love imagining them as tablecloths, bed covers, throws, upholstery fabric, curtains, or simply folded over a favorite chair adding softness and history to a room ~

These textiles have already lived so many lives over centuries ~ and now they begin again ✨

farmhousestyle primitivehome frenchfarmhouse linenlove interiordecor textilelover upcycledhome ecofriendlydecor tablecloth bedcover upholsteryfabric frenchdecor romantichome earthtones mutedtones

I’ve just listed this amazing antique , French swimming suit in my store ( link in bio ) I absolutely could not resist t...
05/07/2026

I’ve just listed this amazing antique , French swimming suit in my store ( link in bio ) I absolutely could not resist this incredible antique French bathing suit!!! The bold blue and white nautical stripes, the soft worn cotton jersey and those wonderful little buttons down the front ~ it feels like something straight from the French Riviera in the 1920’s or 30’s ☀️🌊

Pieces like this are becoming SO hard to find and I especially love imagining the seaside holidays, salt air and summers long gone that this lovely survivor has seen over the years. It has such an amazing graphic quality and honestly looks more like sculpture or folk art than clothing when displayed on the wall ~

I’ve been collecting antique textiles and clothing across France for over 25 years and every once in awhile I find something that completely stops me in my tracks ~ this was absolutely one of those moments 💙

beachhousedecor nauticaldecor beachhousedecor antiqueclothing maritimedecor thetextiletrunk frenchfinds vintagefashion coastalgrandmother ralphlaurenhome stripedtextile beachhousestyle frenchcountrydecor vintagefrench antiquefashion slowdecor textilelover

A Gorgous piece of original antique denim! Most people don’t realize that the word denim actually comes from France ~ fr...
05/07/2026

A Gorgous piece of original antique denim! Most people don’t realize that the word denim actually comes from France ~ from the phrase “de Nîmes,” meaning “from Nîmes,” the historic textile city where this sturdy twill cloth was first woven centuries ago. ~

Long before blue jeans became an American icon, mills in France were producing durable indigo twill fabrics like this for workers, sailors, and laborers. The diagonal weave you can see here is called a twill weave ~ it gave the fabric incredible strength while still allowing it to drape beautifully. ~

This incredible textile is a true antique example ~ approximately 3 yards of heavy weight indigo denim, still unwashed after more than a century. The reverse side shows the pale natural backing so characteristic of early denim construction, while the front still holds that rich deep indigo color collectors dream of finding today. ~

When I lightly ironed it, it released that unmistakable scent of age and storage ~ a reminder that this fabric has quietly survived decades tucked away somewhere in Europe waiting to be rediscovered. ~ aroma patina !! Ha :)))

The history of textiles is woven into everyday life more than most people realize. Fabrics like this eventually became the foundation for workwear and blue jeans worn across the world today. To hold an early piece like this in your hands is truly something special. ~

For over 25 years I’ve been searching France and Europe for rare antique textiles like this one ~ preserving and reusing these extraordinary old fabrics feels more important now than ever. The antiqu of the future, designed to pass down from generation to generation.

Wheeeee!!! After weeks of waiting, my massive shipment from my last 2 buying trips has finally arrived and I’m only just...
05/06/2026

Wheeeee!!! After weeks of waiting, my massive shipment from my last 2 buying trips has finally arrived and I’m only just beginning to unpack and list some of the many incredible finds hidden inside!!! Among the bundles were many bolts of unused antique and vintage French workwear , clothing and menswear fabrics that I have such a crush on~ including this extraordinary Dormeuil textile with its original paper stock tag still attached after well over a century!!!

Founded in 1842, Auguste Dormeuil & Cie became one of the great names in luxury French and European tailoring cloths, supplying exquisite suiting fabrics admired by high end tailors and couture houses alike. This particular piece is early late 1800’s into the very early 1900’s ~ with its narrow width, dense wool blend weave, and tiny dotted woven pattern that has such quiet sophistication.

What really captured my imagination was the original handwritten tag still tied onto the cloth. Somehow this bolt survived unused all these years tucked away and protected, waiting to be discovered again. I can just picture it sitting on the shelf of a French textile merchant or tailor over 100 years ago!!!

The tiny white dotted pattern against the deep black wool is so understated and elegant. A true French menswear textile in every possible way ~ refined, practical, durable, and incredibly chic.

These old workwear and tailoring fabrics are becoming harder and harder to find, especially in untouched bolts with provenance still attached. I feel unbelievably lucky to be the next caretaker of pieces like this before they head off into new homes for another chapter of their lives ~

menswearfabric

MY GOODNESS ~ 1860-1880 ..French ….this one of if not THE prettiest antique wallpaper borders I’ve ever found!!! The s...
05/06/2026

MY GOODNESS ~ 1860-1880 ..French ….this one of if not THE prettiest antique wallpaper borders I’ve ever found!!! The soft blue draped swags, the floral garlands, the warm golden tones ~ it feels like stepping straight into a faded French château salon from the 1860’s ✨

And YES… it’s entirely hand block printed!!! You can see the beautiful irregularity and artistry in every inch. These early wallpapers have a soul that modern reproductions simply can’t touch ~

I found this in France during one of my treasure hunting trips and completely fell in love the moment I unrolled it. Nearly 5 yards of pure antique magic!!! I’m selling it per half so it can continue bringing beauty into new homes once again ~ the link to my store is in my profile! Just search my store for wallpaper !

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