Pair of tassels

Art Historical Context

Nestled in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's European Sculpture and Decorative Arts collection, this pair of 17th-century Italian tassels exemplifies the exquisite craftsmanship of Baroque-era textiles. Crafted from fine linen, each tassel measures just 3 inches (7.6 cm) in length, making them delicate accents designed to add elegance and movement to garments, furnishings, or ecclesiastical vestments. Their modest scale belies their role as luxurious trimmings, where intricate knotting and twisting techniques transformed simple threads into ornamental flourishes. In 17th-century Italy, a hub o...