Koord van bruine zijde waaraan twee kwasten c. 1925

Curator: Looking at this image, I’m struck by how an object seemingly so simple—a silk cord with tassels—can evoke such a specific era. Editor: It has an undeniable Art Deco vibe. There's a subdued glamour to it, isn’t there? That rich, earthy brown… it’s very much of its time. Curator: Exactly. What you’re responding to, I think, is the carefully constructed image. It’s a photograph from around 1925, and what we see documented is described as a brown silk cord with two tassels, held at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: Knowing that it's a photograph is crucial. There is something distinctly modern about using the camera to elevate what would have been perceived as a humble, decorative object. Did it serve a specific function? Curator: Likely. It could have adorned curtains, furniture, or even been part of clothing. But to the people of the time, and us today, these details matter less than how that aesthetic style communicates luxury and modern taste through simplicity. These kinds of photographs showed people the style. Editor: I agree. I’m also drawn to the repetition of forms here - the paired tassels, the doubled cord… it all feels very deliberate, even symmetrical, qualities prized at the time. There's also something about the stillness, the perfect lighting, that makes it almost iconic. It wants to represent not just *a* tassel, but *the* ideal tassel. Curator: Yes, an interesting play on symbolism. Objects of embellishment, in many cultures, also carry hidden significances; think of the keys of power, tassels denoting status, or the materials connecting to the cultural heritage of craftsmanship. The very presentation invites us to consider such possibilities, adding weight to this photograph of such a functional decoration. Editor: Fascinating. For me, knowing the era encourages questions. How accessible were such embellishments to the broader populace? What socio-economic narratives does this cord represent, beyond its immediate beauty? Curator: Absolutely. The Art Deco period, as embodied in this understated object, prompts us to see the cultural values embedded in a beautiful period and design and its legacy. Editor: It reminds me that even the smallest details can tell complex stories about taste, society, and the ever-changing definition of luxury.