By Åse Anderson
TV drama Downton Abbey and last year's blockbuster remake of The Great Gatsby have helped to catapult jewels inspired by the Roaring Twenties into the spotlight. And while tassel jewellery has been on our radar for a while, in 2014 some of the world's most prestigious houses took the trend even further into the realms of high-end luxury. Evoking the glamour and glitz of the 1920s, these one-of-a-kind high jewellery tassel necklaces are the pinnacle of opulence.
Resplendent in radiant light blue, the Chanel tassel necklace from the new Café Society high jewellery collection is a welcome antidote to the dreary grey winter weather, featuring a cascade of aquamarine beads combined with diamonds and black spinel.
Boucheron's Fleur des Indes high jewellery collection is an ode to the historic ties between the French maison and the Maharajas. The coloured pools in the grounds of India's ancient palaces inspired this amazing diamond tassel Boucheron necklace featuring a 188.79 carat Colombian emerald from the 17th century that has never been recut and retains the original flower carving.
The maison's iconic feline mascot makes an appearance in this sensual Cartier necklace, from the new Panthère de Cartier collection, with his twinkling emerald eyes guarding the diamond and white gold tassel that spills out beneath him.
In a more intense indigo hue, the Chaumet high jewellery necklace boasts a rhapsody of gems, from tanzanite and sapphires to lapis lazuli and black spinel, while the Louis Vuitton Emprise necklace is the epitome of understated glamour, with a square-shaped amethyst inspired by the French luxury house's monogrammed trunks.
Graff unveiled a truly exceptional tassel necklace this year comprised of hundreds of carats of diamonds and emeralds, centred around a 10.03 carat Colombian emerald. And pearls - that quintessential 1920s gem - made an appearance too, in Bogh-Art's exquisite natural saltwater pearl, seed pearl and pink diamond necklace and Chanel's dramatic Perles de Nuit necklace, with a string of oversized Tahitian pearls leading downwards to two playful tassels.
With a firm nod to the cool elegance of the 1920s, these luxurious tassel necklaces are the perfect way to embrace your inner free-spirited Flapper.