Where We Get Finials

A finial is an architectural ornament placed at the peak or end of a structure to emphasize the structure. The word is derived from the Middle English word finial, meaning final, and the Latin word finis, meaning end. They are also called fennels, pinnacles, ball and spikes, ornaments, cresting and garnitures. Although a traditional finial may be a ball and spike or a fleur-de-lis shape, they can be found in the shape of mythical creatures such as dragons and gargoyles. There is a great variety to be found.

Finials became popular during the Victorian era. They were placed on the top of roofs to ward off evil. It was believed that the pointy structures would make it difficult for a witch on a broomstick to land on your roof. Finials were popular with all socio-economic levels. Those with lesser means would build straw animals to place on the crests of their thatched cottages, while those with greater means used copper and brass to decorate the gables and peaks of their houses. Churches often used stone as well as metals to adorn their buildings. Today, the most popular are made of brass and copper.

Finials can be used anywhere that you would like to create emphasis. They are popular on the tops of porches, barn roofs, garages, gazebos and on the corners of your buildings.

Finials are a great alternative to the use of weathervanes. Like weathervanes, finials used to only be found in antique shops and specialty stores. With their rising popularity it is now possible to find them in home improvement and hardware stores, home decoration stores and many websites.