My day job is in a different industry. We win alot of awards for the products we produce. Until recently we have always kept the ribbon and plaques when the product was sold at a Charity Auction. In the past several years, there has been a shift and that is the person who buys the product expects to keep the ribbon, plaque, silver cup etc. Even though the money goes to charity they figure that they paid the money it belongs to them. Long story short, I would make sure that everyone is on the same page before the transaction is final.

I agree with your evaluation.

You made the quilt and earned the ribbons. They paid for the quilt, not the accolades.

Definitely keep them, Rob. They are part of your quilting credentials. And congrats, by the way!

Keep the ribbons. They are for workmanship/design, etc. The quilt had nothing to do with these things, the quilt is the result of your work. As stated previously, you could take photos of the ribbons with the quilt to give to the buyer. Congratulations on selling your quilt. I hope you got a good price for it.

Congratulations Rob, for the awards and also for the sale. I agree you keep the ribbons but believe that the new owners should have the provenance. Having been in the antique business, provenance adds not just credibility but actual value. The idea of putting something on the back is a good idea. What will happen to the quilt when the new owners pass away? A lot of people that don't sew or quilt are amazed when they find out the value of something special like yours. Even insurance agents. There has been some discussion on here about insurance. Since this is an award winning quilt they may need documentation to back up their valuation for insurance purposes.

The poster who made the analogy about prize money has an excellent point. The ribbons -- for which you are to be congratulated! -- were awarded to you, for your work, so they are yours to keep. It would be nice to give photos or documentation of the awards to the buyer, but I wouldn't make a shadow box. I'd let them do that, if they want one.

I think papers come with some pedigreed animals?

I still think that the actual ribbons/awards can stay with the original maker - but - if the buyer is paying for "an award winning quilt" - that there should be some sort of documentation to back that claim up.

You keep your ribbons, trophies, awards. They are yours. When I’ve sold a quilt that I won awards with I keep a really nice photo of the quilt with the ribbons and awards.
i did sell one that the purchaser wanted to be able to see- show it had won awards. I gave them a copy of the photo showing the quilt with it’s ribbons.

Keep them!