Finials might have first been used prominently in Asian cultures around 700 A.D. as decorative elements on pagodas. As people of different parts of the world met and traded, ideas about architectural style traveled with them.

What is the purpose of a finial?

While the purpose of finials on bed posts is mostly decorative, they serve a purpose on curtain rods, providing a way to keep a curtain from slipping off the end of a straight rod. Curtain rod finials can be seen to act much like a barometer of public taste.

What is finial architecture?

finial, in architecture, the decorative upper termination of a pinnacle, gable end, buttress, canopy, or spire. In the Romanesque and Gothic styles, it usually consists of a vertical, pointed central element surrounded by four outcurving leaves or scrolls.

What is finial in art?

In architecture, a decorative element placed at the top of a gable, spire, dome, cupola, arch, or other structure.

What is a finial in church?

The finial is a decorated ornamental feature, whether it is foliated, a cross, or other ornament. Finials feature prominently on churches, although you might see them on public buildings or even private homes. Finials can be made of a variety of materials, including stone, terracotta, or metals.

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44 related questions found

Where did finials come from?

Finials have been around for a long time, and isolated examples can be found on ancient Greek and Roman buildings. Finials might have first been used prominently in Asian cultures around 700 A.D. as decorative elements on pagodas.

Why do sheds have finials?

Butterfly Catch – All of our wooden garden sheds come fitted with a butterfly catch to keep the doors securely closed, this also helps the structure of the building. ... Finials – Finally, this is to cover the joining of the fascia's as well as improving the appearance of the completed shed.

What is a finial in type?

Finial – The tapered portion of the end of the stroke of a letter such as in the letter c or e. ... Cap Height – The height from the baseline of a typeface to the top of the uppercase letters.

What is a curtain finial?

Finials are the decorative end pieces that fit into the ends of the drapery rod to give it a finished, ornamental look. Finials are available in many styles and finishes to coordinate with the style of your room.

Why is it called a finial?

A finial is an element that accents the top or end of an object usually for decorative purposes. ... Buddhist religion began to influence these pagodas so many finials began to take the shape of a long lotus bud, having religious implications of enlightenment and rebirth. Many of these were stone.

What is a harp and finial?

A lamp harp is the component of a lamp to which the lamp shade is attached. ... The shade's internal frame (known as a spider) mounts on this rod and is secured in place by a lamp finial.

What are roof finials?

They are called finials or sometimes spires. Basically, they are decorative caps to the point or end of a roof. ... They are typically carved in stone and they are there to emphasize the apex of a dome, spire or tower.

What is the end of a curtain pole called?

A finial is a decorative trimming which caps the unfinished end of a curtain pole.

What is a finial on a spoon?

The Finial is The Antique Silver Spoon Collectors' Magazine. The Finial aims to enhance knowledge and enjoyment for the antique silver spoon collector. ... Teaspoons, salt spoons, dessert spoons, basting spoons, table and serving spoons have all taken centre stage in The Finial from time to time.

What is a finial tree topper?

Finial tree toppers are decorative, crowning ornaments placed at the top of a Christmas tree. ... The first finial tree topper appeared at the end of the 19th century. German-made, these hand-blown glass finials soon became the most popular tree toppers at Christmas time, even surpassing angels and stars.

What is a swash font?

A swash is a typographical flourish, such as an exaggerated serif, terminal, tail, entry stroke, etc., on a glyph.

What is the anatomy of typography?

Typographic parts of a glyph: 1) x-height; 2) ascender line; 3) apex; 4) baseline; 5) ascender; 6) crossbar; 7) stem; 8) serif; 9) leg; 10) bowl; 11) counter; 12) collar; 13) loop; 14) ear; 15) tie; 16) horizontal bar; 17) arm; 18) vertical bar; 19) cap height; 20) descender line.

What is stroke in typography?

stroke: a straight or curved line that creates the principal part of a letter. subhead: brief line of text that divides the body copy into sections between headlines and body copy. swash: the extra flourish that accompanies many script and blackletter style typefaces.

What is a fascia board?

The fascia board is the long wooden board behind the gutters on a house. It connects to the roof rafters, closes off the attic and serves as the mount for gutters. ... A damaged fascia can be the starting point for other roof problems and potentially lead to damage to an attic and home.

What is the purpose of a pinnacle?

A pinnacle is a vertical ornamental element crowning a buttress, turret, parapet, spire or other structure. It is most commonly associated with Gothic architecture. Pinnacles are typically made of stone and predominantly used for ornamental purposes, providing vertical emphasis breaking up hard outlines.

What is scroll in architecture?

Scrollwork, in architecture and furniture design, use of curved elements suggesting such shapes as a sea wave, a vine, or a scroll of paper partly unrolled. ... An example is the scrolled, or “swan neck,” pediment common in American 18th-century design.

What is a finial on a flag?

Flagpole finials are the decorative ornaments that are placed at the top of the flagpole. Finials can also serve to protect outdoor hollow flagpoles from the rain or be used to hold pulleys, which allow the flag to be raised and lowered.

How big is a finial?

A finial can have a length as small as 1.5 inches or as long as 9 inches.

How tall is a roof finial?

The smallest finial (28") is probably too smal, the 40" and 53" would be better choices with the 40" being probably the best size and having a subtle decorative appearance.