The finial is the ornamental terminal feature at the top of a roof pinnacle or gable. The Neo-Romanian style buildings are often endowed with spectacular finials, where their design, ornament and decoration encompasses in a small space the essence and spirit of that architectural order specific to this region of Europe. I found the finial example pictured above as being one of the most elaborate and also well proportioned, which I encountered in my fieldwork in Bucharest and the rest of Romania. It has also been presented in a large photomontage and slide show of Neo-Romanian style finials, some monts ago, but I wanted to bring it back to attention with a more detailed photograph. I like the two main motifs categories making up the decorative register of this finial: the late medieval Wallachian church inspired ones such as the window-like openings at the base or the rope and the diagonal line motifs above and on the other hand the peasant art inspired motif represented by the stylisation of a hay stack crowning the finial. The whole assembly exudes confidence and a sense of history.
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I endeavor through this series of daily articles to inspire appreciation of the historic houses of Romania, a virtually undiscovered, but fascinating chapter of European architectural history and heritage.
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If you plan acquiring a historic property in Romania or start a renovation project, I would be delighted to advice you in sourcing the property, specialist research, planning permissions, restoration project management, etc. To discuss your particular plan please see my contact details in the Contact page of this weblog.
Valentin Mandache, architectural historian 