Book Illustration, Novelties in Laces for Furniture and Decoration, Frange, Franse, Fringe, Heft X, Blatt 98

Although the tassel and its variant forms find their roots in the humble knot, by the end of the 19th century these elaborate decorative trimmings were found applied to furnishings throughout upper and middle class homes in both Europe and the United States. The Danish even coined the term, klunketid, or tassel period, to refer to this time. Philip Schwarz marketed directly to these consumers with his 191 unique “novelties in laces.” The trimmings depicted in this collection of designs incorporate gimp, braid, galloon, bows, flies, and bobbles; (gimp refers to a twisted silk or cotton with cord or wire running through it; galloon refers to a narrow ornamental strip of fabric used as trim; and bobble refers to a small ball made of wool or silk.) Many of Schwarz's fringe designs borrow from military regalia; the arced pattern punctuated at its lowest points by tasseled buttons is reminiscent of a military coat.