VOCABULARY TERM: RIBBON DRAPE

Ribbon Drape. Folded and sewn ribbon from which a medal is suspended. Ribbon drapes add color, suspend a medal providing a means to wear it, and are attached to some means of fastening to a garment or uniform. The medal is usually looped by integral loop – made at the same time as the striking of the medal – or by a soldered loop, attached after it is struck and finished, or by a lug which is a part of the medal and is drilled to provide the opening for a ring.

The loop is affixed to a jump ring that is usually large enough to pass through the fold in the ribbon drape. At the top of the ribbon the two ends are sewn together and fastened by a concealed bar to a stem and clasp or other attaching means as a pin and clasp. The same ribbon for the ribbon drape is used for the ribbon bar. For military medals the color is part of a scheme and is unique for that particular campaign or valor award. For educational use a school's colors are used. National colors – as red, white and blue for America – become somewhat universal and are a stock ribbon available for anyone to use for any purpose.

To read the complete entry on the Newman Numismatic Portal, see:
Ribbon Drape (https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/dictionarydetail/516654)

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