Collection
/
Asian Art

Tassel (Samjak Norigae)

20th century

1 of 3

Object Label

Women of the late Joseon wore norigae, or decorative pendants, hanging from the tie of a jacket or skirt. The norigae consisted of tassels hanging from multiple elements that would sway with the woman’s movement and sometimes make a soft jingling noise. This elaborate example has three pendant objects (samjak) that symbolize good fortune and proper wifely behavior. The miniature sword wards off evil. The gourd-shaped vase represents joy and plenty. The object with the smaller pendant elements is a wind chime/noisemaker that farmers would hang in the fields to scare away birds; it too serves to protect the wearer from harm.

Caption

Tassel (Samjak Norigae), 20th century. Enameled silver pendants with silk cords, Overall length: 13 3/8 in. (34 cm) Scarecrow length: 4 3/4 in. (12 cm) Gourd bottle length: 2 3/8 in. (6 cm) Sword length: 4 in. (10.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Jacqueline Miller Dunnington, 78.248.

Gallery

Not on view

Collection

Asian Art

Title

Tassel (Samjak Norigae)

Date

20th century

Geography

Place made: Korea

Medium

Enameled silver pendants with silk cords

Classification

Accessory

Dimensions

Overall length: 13 3/8 in. (34 cm) Scarecrow length: 4 3/4 in. (12 cm) Gourd bottle length: 2 3/8 in. (6 cm) Sword length: 4 in. (10.2 cm)

Credit Line

Gift of Jacqueline Miller Dunnington

Accession Number

78.248

Frequent Art Questions

  • What is this supposed to be ?

    Those are tassels also called Samjak Norigae, which would have been hung from the tie of a jacket or shirt.
    Cool.
    I agree! Many of them had symbols and served as charms!

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