French Tassel Drop Earrings from The Met Museum

These statement earrings interpret a French silk-and-metal-thread tassel (19th century) in The Met collection. The French term for ribbons, trims, and tassels is passementerie, a well-represented category at the Museum in the way of splendid trimmings from France as well as Italy and beyond. This lavish piece attests to the detail for which French luxury goods are justly celebrated.