Definition: a slender chair whose back consists of two poles connected by several horizontal slats, resembling a ladder; the slats may be straight or slightly curved; dating from the Middle Ages, it is characteristic of country furniture, such as that made by the Shakers, though more formal versions exist
Also Known As: slat-back, ribbon-back (variation)
Example: In a well-proportioned ladder-back chair, the thickness of the horizontal slats balances out the height of the overall piece.