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See more objects with the tag domestic interiors, clusters, trimming, knots, lace-like, fashion.

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Object Timeline

1962

  • We acquired this object.

2012

2014

2025

  • You found it!

Tassel (Italy)

This is a Tassel. It is dated 17th century and we acquired it in 1962. Its medium is linen and its technique is braided and knotted. It is a part of the Textiles department.

Tassels are normally associated with richly colored glossy silk. The techniques employed for these white linen versions combine the skills of the passementier (braiding and knotting) with the materials and techniques of the lace maker, in one case used to create tiny lace flowers and figures.

This object was bequest of Richard Cranch Greenleaf (American, 1887–1961). It is credited Bequest of Richard Cranch Greenleaf in memory of his mother, Adeline Emma Greenleaf.

Our curators have highlighted 9 objects that are related to this one. Here are three of them, selected at random:

  • Cap (Spain)
  • silk.
  • Gift of Richard C. Greenleaf.
  • 1951-105-35
  • Border (France)
  • block printed on handmade paper.
  • Gift of The Museum at The Fashion Institute of Technology.
  • 1998-75-100

Its dimensions are

H x W: 17.8 x 9.5 cm (7 x 3 3/4 in.)

Cite this object as

Tassel (Italy); linen; H x W: 17.8 x 9.5 cm (7 x 3 3/4 in.); Bequest of Richard Cranch Greenleaf in memory of his mother, Adeline Emma Greenleaf; 1962-51-14

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Making Design.

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If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-6.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/18445005/ |title=Tassel (Italy) |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=1 April 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>