Ribband

If you are going to walk the walk, you should talk the talk.

What is a ribband?

RIBBAND:   A fancy term for a carved ribbon decoration.  First used by Thomas Chippendale in 1754 to describe the elaborately pierced center support of a chair back in the form of a ribbon and bow.  It’s simpler–and still correct– to describe such chairs as having a ribbon back.  It also can be used to describe a painted ribbon decoration.  Sometimes the term is spelled with one b, riband.

Line drawing of chairs by Thomas Chippendale.

Giltwood Faux Bamboo Mirror, 19th century, with floral wreath cresting, bows of ribband, and tasseled roping over rectangular beveled mirror with faux bamboo frame

1916 Order of St George Fabrege Egg with ribband decoration

Painted

Some contemporary interpretations:

‘Ribbon Barstool’
Design: Danielle Trofe, Brooklyn, NY

Ribbon chair by Richard Judd

Photo Credits:   white   close- up   Chippendale chair  Line drawing from Met. Settee  Fabrege egg   Candelabra   Ribbon barstool  Richard Judd chair  Chair collage: Jonathan Charles, Victorian chair  Chippendale pair of chairs  Painted chest.