Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-03-29
RIBBO.v W.R.sI.xyvG.


The art of weaving ribbons is of great an
tiquity, and was known to both the Hin
docs and the Persians thousands of years
ago. The first ribbons are supposed to
have been small fillets TO bind up the hair
or tie about the waist. In process of time
the filet was enlarged, and the richest and
most costly ribbons are now made of silk
or velvet, while the web corresponds to the
various purposes for which articles of this
description are used.
Ribbons are of various kinds, and prop
erly embrace scarfs, fillets, sashes, coach
trimmings, book-marks, and braids. The
best English ribbons are made at Coventry,
and the trade has grown to be one of great
importance, Since the invention of the
jacquard loom, the business of ribbon
weaving has made rapid strides in France,
and figured and raised work are perfect
marvels of the textile art. The seat of the
trade in France is at Lyons and Paris.
Swiss manufacturers, however, Of late years
have been foremost in the production of
silks and ribbons that have almost sup
planted French goods in the home market.
One reason for this is the taste they have
displayed in their patterns and the exquis-
ite fineness of the material composing the
fabrics.
The most gorgeous ribbons are those
classed under the name of sashes and scarfs.
The latter are Of Hindoo origin, and are the
most exqusitely beautiful of all the orna-
mental fabrics of India. They are called
by the natives "Duputtas,' and the most
lu aa1a at
dent of the Edinburgh Review, in de-
scription of the textile production of the
East, writes as follows:
1.-THE scarf is perhaps the most beautiful
of all the ornamental fabrics of India, and
it is quite impossible to describe the effects
of the gold and silver threads of the most
delicate and ductile description imaginable,
woven in broad rich borders, with pro-
fusion of gold and silver flowers. Neither
can describe the elegance and intricacy of
the arabesque patterns of the ribbon bor-
ofthe most delicate and delightful colors
the creamy white and shades of pink, yell
low, green, mauve, violet, and blue are
clear, yet subdued, and always accord with
the metal thread and the style ofornamen-
tation, whether in gold or silver. Many
scarfs are of more decided colors-black,
scarlet, crimson, chocolate, dark green, and
madder; but whatever the color may be,
the ornamentation is chaste and suitable.
Inferior scaris are equally brilliant in col
or, and are fadeless to the last rag"
Embossed ribbons, of the French pattern
are stamped with hot plates of steel, each
piece having portion of the pattern en-
graved upon its surface. The best ribbons
made in Europe are manufactured from
italian organzine silk inferior sorts are
Of China or India organzine silk. A fancy
ribbon called Chine, is considered very
beautiful on account of its figures, which
are first painted on the warp after it is pre-
pared for the loom, and subsequently WOW
en- in the shuttle. The wavy or watered
appearance of ribbons is produced by
means of heated cylinders.
Ribbon weaving has been very promi-
nent industry in this country for many
years. The largest manufacturers are at
Passac, New Jersey, and in this city. In
regard to material and finish, domestic
ribbons compare favorably with the best
imported.