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.

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 !

blockprinted antiquepaper frenchdecor chateauchic wallcoverings interiordesign

These incredible drawings are called gouache textile designs—and they were never meant to be framed…they were meant to b...
05/04/2026

These incredible drawings are called gouache textile designs—and they were never meant to be framed…they were meant to be used.

Created in France (often in Lyon, the heart of the silk industry) during the 1700’s and 1800’s, these works were the starting point for woven luxury textiles. Each one was hand painted in gouache—a rich, opaque watercolor—on paper that often has a slightly waxy or sized surface, allowing for precise detail and layered color.

What you’re looking at is essentially the first step in fabric production.

Designers would paint these compositions—florals, stripes, garlands, and occasionally, as in this rare case, even tiny figural scenes. These designs were then translated into “mise en carte” (gridded charts) so they could be woven on complex looms, including early Jacquard looms.

That waxy feel you see and sometimes notice on the surface isn’t accidental—it comes from the preparation of the paper and the medium itself, allowing the artist to build up fine detail and control pigment in a way that mimics the final woven effect.

Most surviving examples feature florals and decorative motifs…

But every now and then, something extraordinary appears—like these tiny dancing figures hidden within the design. A rare glimpse into the creativity and storytelling behind textile production.

These pieces are not just art—they are working documents, blueprints of luxury fabrics, and a direct connection to the hands and minds behind centuries-old craftsmanship.
In my Etsy store now! Link in profile and then in my shop just search “ gouache “
The beginning of every great textile start here

What a textile! A truly extraordinary antique French textile inspired by Indian palampores ~ filled with storytelling, m...
04/30/2026

What a textile!

A truly extraordinary antique French textile inspired by Indian palampores ~ filled with storytelling, movement, and the most beautiful hand block printed detail. European figures, chinoiserie influence, flowering branches… it’s like a painting on cloth . Dating to the late 1800’s or early 1900’s one in a million!

Heavy weight cotton, c1800’s, with the softest faded pinks, sages, and warm neutrals that only time can create. I have honestly NEVER seen another like it.

These are the pieces that make collecting so exciting… and such a privilege to pass along

Antique of the future ~ ready for its next life 🤍

blockprint textiledesign interiorinspo collectedhome sustainabledecor

⸻I was just thinking back again about our time in Saumur…. In March, I had the most wonderful trip planned : it was par...
04/29/2026

⸻
I was just thinking back again about our time in Saumur….
In March, I had the most wonderful trip planned : it was part “ work “ ( can I really call what I get to do work ? ) and part girl time, just me and my daughter and an open , tree lined road. . We set off with no itinerary ~ just a mom being a mom, not a working mom :) Our only goal… Provence in 3 weeks!

We drove out of Paris and let the journey unfold, and one of our most special stops was Saumur ~ I shared that incredible tapestry at the château the other day, and I couldn’t resist sharing another highlight from that stay.

Innogen was in charge of finding our accommodation while I drove (a role she took very seriously!) We didn’t know Saumur at all, but she confidently announced she had found something that looked just right ~ right place, right price… so we booked it last minute and rolled into town.

And you know how it is… you never really know how a stay will feel until you arrive.

Well… this one exceeded every expectation.

Laurent and Torben ~ simply put, the best!
I asked them to share a little about their beautiful home, and this is their story:

“We are Laurent and Torben, a Frenchman and a Dane, owners of the Airbnb ‘Salons Blancler’ in the charming town of Saumur along the Loire River.
We fell completely in love with this historic home the first time we saw it ~ built in 1784, with soaring ceilings and elegant curved wood paneling in the style of an 18th century French town mansion.

On August 12th, 1808, none other than Napoleon and Joséphine stood on the balcony and greeted the people of Saumur.

Today, we welcome guests into two beautiful rooms filled with original character, and host candlelit dinners with richly set tables and antique European bone china.

Laurent is the chef de cuisine, and Torben the organizer ~ and together we invite you to take a little dive into French history.”
If you ever find yourself in Saumur… this is a place you will remember.

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Charlotte, VT

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+18023249966

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