Finials Queens New York May 2002

Finials from some homes in Queens, New York, taken on a walk in May of 2002.

Looking at these finials, one after another, makes me wonder "Why do we do this? What happens at the end of things that makes us want to decorate them, elaborate on them/with them?" It is as if something different MUST happen when a shape reaches it top. This does seem to happen more at the top than at the bottom of things. But it is mostly a feeling of astonishment at the fact of their invention and the need to invent "out on a limb".

One way to look at these tips, finials, is to look at their function. As a product of function. These are at the end of stairs or fences. Newel posts. They are on top of the posts that support the structure - stairs or fence, in this instance. On the stairs they mark street level and mark the entrance, so they serve as an announcement "Here is my house. Enter and welcome." or as a warning "This is where my property begins, right here. I want to make sure that you notice." But the post is needed structurally and the top of it needs to be smooth. It holds the stairs stable and it must be fitting for a hand to rest. Smooth. Imagine if it were "raw", just brick or cut-off metal, the cuts and bruises that would occur from contact. An aside -- There is something about the tip that is always not "raw"... it is a way of finishing, finishing off. -- So the finial hides the rough work at the top of the newel post. When using brick the sides are built with to be seen but the top does not resolve, so something must be done, something different. The finial is on top of the part that is strong and upright and necessary as opposed to the diagonal of the riser (?). [obviously needs to be rewritten. added 2004-21-02]