A Splat is the central, vertical piece in a chair back. This definition is usually extended to refer to any upright piece above the level of the seat, but not where the same piece of material is used for the legs and is extended above seat level to form part of the back of the chair. A splat-backed chair is usually one where the splat is clearly visible, as opposed to a plank-backed chair where the back is a single plank or a spindle chair where the back is formed from many identical turned dowels. In many cases a splat is decorated with piercing, carving or moulding.
Splat-backed chairs are exemplified in the work of Chippendale and Hepplewhite.