Useful Information Regarding Copper Finials

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By Cynthia Green


A finial refers to an element that marks the end or top of some object. Usually, it is made to serve decorative purposes. Another name used to refer to finials is hip-knob. The term hip-knob finds use in several different fields, such as carpentry and architecture. In architecture, this term refers to a decorative device that is typical curved from stone and used to emphasize the apex of a tower, roof, gable, or dome. Below is useful information to know about copper finials.

The emphasis achieved through incorporation of hip-knobs is incorporated at the end, corner, or top of a building or structure. The term pinnacle may be used in cases where numerous finials are used together. These structures may be of the same size or they may vary in size in such cases. The arrangement of pinnacles can be done anyhow without a particular pattern or order.

Also, hip-knobs can be used on much smaller scales whereby one uses them in making decorative ornaments at the ends or tops of poles or rods. In these cases, they find use in making items like bedposts, clocks, tent-poles, and curtain rods. Decorative finials are also used to fasten lampshades. Hip-knobs are also used to make handle ends of souvenir spoons.

The use of hip-knobs is something that began long time ago. Actually, there are times when these structures were in use in ancient Roman and Greek structures. This means that this practice began even before the foundation of ancient civilizations. The first use of hip-knobs can be traced way back to Asian cultures at around 700 A. D. At that time, finials were used for decorating pagodas.

Trade is responsible for spreading this architecture to other regions of the world. The idea spread when Asians met and traded with individuals from other world regions. By the time Frenchmen were developing Gothic architecture, the idea of hip-knobs was already in existence and was incorporated into the architecture. The spread of the idea to the rest of Europe occurred from there. From that time, adoption has occurred worldwide.

Given the various applications to which finials can be put, it is possible to make them from virtually any kind of material. In carpentry, they are made from wood, plastics, and metal. Other materials from which they are made include masonry, stone, bone, and composite materials among many others. Copper is typically used to make these products in various settings.

One can make hip-knobs to any size they want. One can make them small enough to be fitted on utensils and cutlery like spoons. Individuals can also make them to very large sizes so that they can form an integral part of buildings and other similarly huge structures. Also, one can create them into any shape they desire. For example, among others, plants, animals, automotive, heavenly bodies, geographical features, and human being are forms one can make them into.

It is also possible to use hip-knobs for other purposes other than just decoration. For instance, these structures can be designed in a way that they serve as lightning arrestors. Usually, they are made with the correct structures to allow them to conduct electricity from lighting into the ground.




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