finial

Finial is an ornamental finishing piece placed at the apex or end of an object, serving primarily a decorative purpose. The term derives from Old French finial, from Latin finialis, meaning pertaining to an end or boundary.

In architecture, finials crown spires, pinnacles, domes, gables, and rooflines, or terminate balustrades and pediments. In furniture and metalwork, finials cap bedposts, chair backs, curtain rods, flagpoles, and chandeliers. Forms vary widely and may depict spheres (ball finials), acorns, flames, urns, fleur-de-lis, or simple pointed spires. Finials often emphasize verticality or signal the end of a design sequence; they can also contribute to balance or stabilization of adjacent members in some cases.

Materials used for finials range from stone, marble, and carved wood to metal such as bronze, brass, iron, or steel, and ceramic. Installation typically involves a stem, rod, or threaded fastener that secures the finial to the object. Historically, finials were prominent in Gothic and Renaissance architecture and in period furniture, and today they appear in a wide range of styles, from authentic reproductions to modern, simplified designs used on contemporary buildings and fittings.