Provenance: The place of origin or earliest known history of something; a record of ownership of a work of art or an antique, used as a guide to authenticity or quality.

Labels on quilts of The Saint James Trading Co. reflect a hierarchy similar to the Appellation d'Origine Protégée system of French wine. Our heirloom quilts of best quality will be listed in the registry on this site. Unless noted, our heirloom quilts are affixed with a label denoting the country of fabrication, the primary patchwork artisan, a unique serial number and the year. 

All other quilts (e.g. seconds, training quilts or other quilts failing to meet best quality standards) shall be affixed with a label denoting simply our name and the continent of fabrication. 
 

The first quilt in this collection made with the design of squares. It contains some Woodin fabrics from Ghana and other fabrics of unknown origin. The label affixed here is in blue and red lettering before the label design had been standadized and contains no serial number.

The second quilt of the collection. Here, the company began to standardize the size and design of its heirloom queen quilts. Fabrics include blues and greys. The label affixed here is in blue and red lettering before the label design had been standadized and contains no serial number.

Designed as a gift for the Kiyan Prince Foundation, the quilt aims to capture the notion of the indefatigable human spirit in the face of loss. As the first quilt of Scott Aaron Dubois, some irregularities remain. The quilt was used in a photoshoot with the Béninois rap group, The Fidjrossé Boys. The label affixed here is before the label design had been standadized and contains no serial number.

A study in color and culture. These quilts are a pair made from the same inspiration fabric but different fabrics from the same palette. One is made in Benin and one in the United States. The label affixed here is before the label design had been standadized and contains no serial number.

A study in color and culture. These quilts are a pair made from the same inspiration fabric but different fabrics from the same palette. One is made in Benin and one in the United States. The label affixed here is before the label design had been standadized and contains no serial number.

Named after the oldest son of tailor Josue Dzokpé, Jean Paul (featured in the photo to the left) leans into the hues of Benin. The quilt contains vibrant fabrics with several from Woodin of Ghana. The batting is a pure New Zealand cotton. 

Here the company has introduced its first lap quilt, or baby quilt, to the registry. The blue, navy, white and black with gold flourishes presents a calming aesthetic. This lap quilt is especially unique because it contains both Woodin fabrics from Ghana and Three Cats Shwe Shwe from South Africa. The interior batting is a light cotton and polyester blend. 

Here the company returned to some of the same fabrics that inspired Triomphante but added a twist with the yellow gold patches. This quilt was made for Darnell Hamilton the executive director of Future Urban Leaders in Milwaukee who has been supportive of the work of The Saint James Trading Co. 

On May 31, 2026, The Saint James Trading Co. hosted a competition of five tailors in Cotonou. Each was given the same fabrics and same instructions. Each tailor and a jury of five West Africans ranked the five quilts submitted. This quilt was the winner.  The quilt contains fabrics from both South Africa and Ghana in a virbant blue, gold and white melange. 

On May 31, 2026, The Saint James Trading Co. hosted a competition of five tailors in Cotonou. Each was given the same fabrics and same instructions. Each tailor and a jury of five West Africans ranked the five quilts submitted. This quilt received second place.  The quilt contains fabrics from both South Africa and Ghana in a virbant blue, gold and white melange.