108 
House & Garden 
II Dl RECTORY o/DECORATION & FINE ARTS 
TKe. TVo'Lca.ti.ac Guift >n\ea 
— Wrought iRort of DisTiNcTiorv. — 
^53 CHURCH ST- NfcW-^O^ 
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">lower Stanbs 
Sixts •TPiUCfcS 
5 ' hi^h $21.50 
4 6" «- ■ 20.50 
4! » -18.50 
3'6" " -16.50 
3’ -|4.50 
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Comber ox. 3cort f>oti — 
14 tliam - S" $ 5-50 
Other. basians m. Stands - lamps- 
IfINTeRNS - etc.- irv stocjVr- 
Amazing Antique 
Oriental Rugs 
Such rarities are seldom 
seen; thick, sparkling, vel¬ 
vety. Some of my rugs are 
now in museums, many were 
pictured in leading rug 
books. Volume of supply is 
off 90% since 1914, and will 
fall more. Persia is bare of 
antiques today. Each rug is 
a collector’s dream, the best 
of over 10,000. That is why 
I have sold rugs in all of 
our large cities. Descriptive 
list on request; then, if you 
like, I will prepay an assort¬ 
ment on approval. 
Write for descriptive list. 
L. B. Lawton, Skaneateles, N. Y. 
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UNFINISHED 
STAINED — PAINTED 
DECORATED TO ORDER 
FURNITURE 
“AS YOU LIKE IT” 
ARTCRAFT FURNITURE CO. 
203 LEXINGTON AVE. 
33rd STREET NEW YORK 
SERVICE TABLE WAGON 
Saves Thousands of Steps 
(1) Has large broad Table Top (20x30 In./ 
(2) TWO Undershelves (to transport 
ALL the table dishes in ONE TRIP.) 
(3) Large center pull-out Drawer. 
(4) Double End Guiding Handles. 
(5) Equipped with four (4) Rubber Tired 
"Scientifically Silent Swivel Wheels. 
(6) A beautiful extra glass Serving Tray. 
Write for descriptive pamphlet and dealers name 
THE COMBINATION STUDIOS 
504-G Cunard Bldg.. Chicago. Ill. 
Wall 
Fountains 
Are not confined to outdoors. While 
they have an important place in the 
garden wall, they also can be used to 
excellent advantage in the conserva¬ 
tory or sun parlor. Included in our 
collection of garden orna¬ 
ments, we have a number 
of very attractive wall 
fountains at unusually 
reasonable prices. 
Our illustrated catalogue 
sent on request. 
The 
ERKINS 
STUDIOS 
Established iqoo 
240 Lexington Ave. 
at 34th Street 
New York 
The Tale of the Tassel 
(Continued from page 62) 
less Chinese works of art. 
Tassels resembling those of 
ancient Egypt were made 
by the Peruvians; of these 
some specimens are pre¬ 
served in New York in the 
Natural History Museum. 
Judging by ancient paint¬ 
ings, sculptures, and mss., 
it would seem that the tas¬ 
sel was associated from 
early times with a certain 
rank and splendor, and by 
the time the 15th Century 
was reached, this tendency 
was pronounced. In these 
mediaeval times before the 
Renaissance, golden tassels 
of straight and slender 
shape were hung from 
adornments on royal tents, 
and on thfe canopies over 
thrones and beds. The 
loose cushion of velvet had 
in its most imposing form a heavy tas- 
A very beautiful 
Venetian tassel suit¬ 
able for heavy bro¬ 
cade hangings. From 
Edward Maag 
ecessors. Sheraton and 
Hepplewhite both designed 
many arrangements on the 
cord and tassel scheme. 
In Queen Victoria’s reign 
the fashion for tassels flared 
up again amid the reps and 
plaids, the rosewood, cross- 
stitch and ottoman of that 
era. It says a good deal 
for the adaptability of the 
ornament that it managed 
not to look incongruous in 
such surroundings. These 
tassels were modeled upon 
those of the Baroque 17th 
Century, that is to say, 
they were built-up and or¬ 
nate affairs; hut while they 
reproduced the exaggera¬ 
tion, they lost a certain 
stiff dignity and solid rich¬ 
ness which the old patterns 
always possessed. 
The Chinese tassel is a thing apart. 
sel at each corner, and fluffy ones were Intricate and elaborate beyond anything 
used in the same manner on the embroi- of Western origin, it never fails in its 
dered linen cushion covers of the period, perfection of balance and proportion, 
During the 17th Century the reaction and the invention that distinguishes it. 
of taste that had recently set in was It is often flat and thin, but always of 
echoed in the redundant trimmings and amazing delicacy and fine workmanship, 
tassels of the period. The classic per- In many examples the knot has been 
pendicular line, with its precision of bal- elaborated into a beautiful and involved 
ance and poise, had lasted from the end decoration without ever letting the es- 
of the 15th Century, and people had at sential knot-character escape, 
last wearied of the style, and new ideas The modern tassel, except when it is 
were abroad in the land. Tassels at this a distinct reproduction, is of no style in 
time epitomized the passion for sweep- particular, but an assimilation of all, 
ing curves and decorations in high relief, and its application is wider and more 
for the sculptured effects and richness varied than ever. All manner of cush- 
that dominated all the art of this period, ions are once more tasselled, sometimes 
which is known as Baroque. at one corner with a single large tassel, 
With the dawn of the 18th Century a sometimes at all four. Tassels termi- 
new era began. The draperies, the nate the bolsters which fashion has re- 
canopv, the curves and splendors with stored to our sofas, and are found in the 
their attendant cords and tassels and centre of round cushions. The floor 
fringes did not indeed vanish. All these cushion is tasseled like the rest, though 
were still features of the period, but with there the appropriateness is question- 
a difference. Heavy formalism with able. Gold and silver silks of every 
sculptured effects in high relief was pass- color, wool, thread, and beads go to the 
ing out of favor; people were talking making. 
about a return to nature, and the “Chi- For lampshades the tassel is charming 
nese taste” had begun to exer- and appropriate. In many of 
cise its influence on the West- the best shades the Chinese (gSM 
ern World. Chippendale lantern has been developed on ''Dp!’ 
introduced fat tassels of silk, western lines with excellent IT 
and used gilt on tassels on results. Squares, ovals, octa- ' / 
mirrors. The tassels that Rob- gons, spheres and so on, of jrj 
ert Adam used in the late 18th tightly stretched silk, are dec- | 1 
Century were light and deli- orated with tassels. They are 
cate compared with their pred- arranged with endless variety, - i 
I I 
l! I 
(Left to right) Silk bell pull with large flat tassel. 
Rosette and tassel for mirror or picture. Uncut ends and 
mold covered in silk made like a fish net make a tassel 
suitable for heavy hangings. Double tassels for a picture 
cord. Two tones of silk make a tassel for bolster or 
pillow. Consolidated Trimming Co. Delicate silk bell 
pull with four tassels. Edward Maag 
