In 17th-century embroidery and lace-making, “gold knots” (also genoese knots or rococo knots ) were a specific stitch used in raised work. These knots created a three-dimensional, knotted texture on collars and coifs. When applied to a ruff’s edge, they transformed it into a “golden knotty ruff”—a wearable piece of sculpture. An inventory from 1598 mentions “one ruffe of lawn with knottes of golde at eche end.”
Constant movement of collars and harnesses rubs the fine hairs together, creating tight mats. knotty ruff golden knots
If you arrived here because your furry friend has a neck full of tangled "golden knots," here is a quick guide to safely removing mats from a dog's ruff without causing pain: In 17th-century embroidery and lace-making