A decorative finish often used in furnishings, a trimming, or passementerie staple, which can be as simple as a bunch of knotted threads fastened at the top, or extremely intricate and ornate with tassels on tassels on tassels.
The earliest tassels were made of silk and woolens, and when we speak of Versaille’s opulent furnishings it is in part reference to the high quality passementerie used as trims and decorations.
Tassels form naturally from the unravelling at the ends of any cord or rope when it’s tied in a knot, so the effect is ancient. In the old testament ( Numbers 15.38) the Israelites were commanded by God to wear tassels – tzitzit on the corners of their garments to show that were Gods people, and blue tassels that represent priesthood have remained part of the dress code.
In reality a tassel can be entirely of carved wood or forged iron, and the fibres can be of any material of any length and volume, including raffia and copper wire, amongst the more obvious. The tops can be of fabric covered wood, any worked metal-gold, silver, bronze, steel, iron, Perspex, glass, and so on. The idea of tassel can be extended to bunches of glass balls, or squares can make
The designs and materials are, I suspect infinite, as any material can be used and any dye colour found; if it can be thought of it can be made.