| The art of passementerie grew more complex and decorative over the centuries and artisans worked their magic in silk and wool throughout ancient Greece, Persia, Rome, the Orient, Italy, England and France.However, it was in France that tassels reached their pinnacle of elegance and became an overt symbol of wealth, power, prestige and style. Each tassel and trim was handmade by skilled artisans, thread by thread, using costly materials such as silk and metallic gold and silver threads. The artisans took immense pride in their workmanship, devoting much time and skill to their work. Even a simple tassel had at least 300 threads.During the 17th century the Palace of Versailles and all the extensive French Royal Court of Louis XIV wielded enormous influence throughout Europe in the fields of fashion and interior decorative style. Silk, linen and wool tasssels were commissioned not only to decorate furnishings but also to trim elaborate costumes of royalty and their retinue. During this era the colours of tassel skirts usually incorporated gold and silver threads interwoven with natural fibres dyed in a kaleidoscope of crimson, blue, yellow, and olive green hues.Following the French revolution, interior decorating showed signs of restraint but the fascination with luxury and beauty could not be suppressed for long. By the 1880's Napoleon's throne was decorated with gold tassels, while his majestic bed chamber at Fontainebleau featured a red brocade headboard, bed hangings and pillows festooned with gold braid, cord, loops and tieback tasselsBy the 1880's a new wealthy merchant class had emerged in Europe, and decoration of houses was a favourite pastime as well as the most obvious symbol of wealth, style and elegance. Tassels of silk, cotton and wool trimmed everything from horses, footmen, carriages, cushions, curtain tiebacks, furniture and keys. Promoted by popular magazines of the era, fashion followed the trend and tassels decorated ladies' shoes, hoods, sashes, gloves and parasols.By the early 20th century, the excesses of the Victorian era were shunned and tassels became more simple, unadorned and restricted to only two colours. The Art Deco period heralded new geometric tassel mould shapes, and the materials used included new synthetics such as rayon in the vibrant colours of orange, blue, green and black.In recent years handmade tassels have again enjoyed popularity as interest in interior decoration, antique furniture and hand-crafted objects has reached new heights. Key tassels have enjoyed popularity, adding an instant touch of luxury to all that they adorn.Tassels may be small but they play an important role as they add a splash of colour and a touch of grandeur to furniture and interiors. They may be frivolous and flirty or opulent and formal, but they can all be relied upon to add zest and beauty wherever they appear. Society's love of beauty guarantees tassels will always have a place in our hearts and homes. |
