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Tassel (Samjak Norigae)

Asian Art

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.
MEDIUM Enameled silver pendants with silk cords
  • Place Made: Korea
  • DATES 20th century
    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)  (show scale)
    COLLECTIONS Asian Art
    ACCESSION NUMBER 78.248
    CREDIT LINE Gift of Jacqueline Miller Dunnington
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Tassel (Samjak Norigae), 20th century. Enameled silver pendants with silk cords, Overall length: 13 3/8 in. (34 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Jacqueline Miller Dunnington, 78.248. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 78.248_PS11.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, 78.248_PS11.jpg., 2017
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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