5 Early XXth Century fine linen tea towels with wide blood red borders. - Textile - 73 cm - 66 cm

Five Antique French Jacquard Tea Towels – Red wide Borders

I have just returned with a remarkable collection of tea towels from the château near my home in France. The owner recently discovered a substantial quantity of forgotten linens stored inside one of ten magnificent Normandy walnut armoires in the château's linen room. Hidden away for decades, many of the tea towels had never been used and were still in their original packaging.
I have photographed some evidence of the variety of tea towels.

These traditional French tea towels were an important part of daily life throughout France. Woven in the Jacquard tradition, they feature patterns that are incorporated directly into the fabric rather than printed or embroidered, making them both durable and highly decorative. Historically, it was common for families to have household linens marked with their initials, allowing each family member's belongings to be easily identified.

Offered here is a set of 5 matching Jacquard tea towels, each beautifully woven with wide blood red borders
. and finished with two vertical blood-red borders. They are a wonderful example of classic French household linen and retain all the charm and authenticity of their château provenance.


About French Jacquard Tea Towels

Jacquard weaving was developed in 1801 by the French inventor Joseph Marie Jacquard, whose revolutionary punch-card loom transformed textile production and later influenced the development of modern computing. The technique creates intricate woven patterns that are visible on both sides of the fabric, with the reverse image appearing on the back.

French Jacquard tea towels enjoyed enormous popularity throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. Although fashions changed and many examples were stored away, they have experienced a strong resurgence in recent years, particularly among younger generations who appreciate their quality, craftsmanship, and heritage.

Today, cotton and linen Jacquard tea towels remain highly sought after for both practical use and decorative display, making surviving unused examples increasingly desirable.