IT WAS THE champagne coupes tied in lengths of black ribbon (below) that first caught our eye while searching Pinterest for table setting inspiration for the holidays. For interest, we thought we’d provide a brief history of the ribbon bow to go along with these beautiful images of tabletop inspiration for your upcoming holiday soirées or any dinner party really.
By definition, a ribbon is a narrow woven strip or band of fine material finished off at its edges. Different types of fabrics are used to make ribbon, the most common being organza, satin and polyester. Ribbons are most often used for ornaments, decorations, bow-tying (the bow itself dates all the way back to ancient times), and accessories. The use of ribbons dates back to the early Middle Ages, when the invention of the horizontal loom allowed for the creation of more complex woven textiles. During this time, ribbons quickly became a sartorial trend, pinned to clothing and wrapped into hair. Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1343-1400) frequently included descriptions of fashionable attire in his poetic works, giving insights into the apparel and accessories popular in the late Middle Ages. In his monumental work The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer makes reference to “ribands” tied in decorative modes on clothing and headdresses. Ribbons have a long history, with a set of Sumerian gold hair ribbons dating back 4,500 years on display at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Different colours of ribbons and bows have been traditionally associated with specific meanings. For instance, red bows were often associated with love, passion, and celebration, while white bows symbolised purity, innocence, or weddings, and black bows were used for mourning or more somber occasions. These meanings, of course, have changed with time and different colours are more a matter of taste than symbolic meaning. Black, for instance, is now considered elegant and even festive (especially at New Year’s), as is the case with those champagne coupes.
Today, ribbon bows are not only associated with fashion, but are also a common way to add a decorative and festive touch to gifts and events. They are often used in weddings, holidays, and other celebrations as a symbol of elegance and celebration.
