 |
 TULIP VALANCE Cast Iron French Garden Fence $22.00 Time Remaining: 14d 2h 48m Buy It Now for only: $22.00 |
 Cast Iron FENCE FINIALS Lot of 10 great classic Design S $9.50 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 2d 4h 16m |
 TWO LARGE FRENCH CURLS Iron Cast Wrought Garden Fence $32.00 Time Remaining: 24d 2h 21m Buy It Now for only: $32.00 |
 CURL PICKET Iron Cast Wrought Garden Fence Gate Decor $20.00 Time Remaining: 18d 12h 39m Buy It Now for only: $20.00 |
 2 OLD VINTAGE CAST BY HAND ALUMINUM BALLS FENCE POST OR FLAG POLE GARDEN FINIALS $9.99 Time Remaining: 2h 35m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 |
 CATTAIL PANEL Iron Cast Wrought Garden Fence Gate $48.00 Time Remaining: 25d 10h 25m Buy It Now for only: $48.00 |
 TEN VICTORIAN FINIALS Iron Cast Wrought Garden Fence $24.00 Time Remaining: 1d 15h 38m Buy It Now for only: $24.00 |
 Cast Iron Fleur de Lis Fence Post Finial Cap Decor $8.95 Time Remaining: 23d 11h 31m Buy It Now for only: $8.95 |
 Antique Gothic Victorian Cast Iron Cross finial or fence topper picture frame $9.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 6h 14m |
 CURL PICKET Iron Cast Wrought Garden Fence Gate Decor $20.00 Time Remaining: 18d 1h 37m Buy It Now for only: $20.00 |
 CAST IRON SPEAR POINT FENCE POST FINIAL WITH THREADED END ANTIQUE 1 Piece $15.00 Time Remaining: 24d 9h 38m Buy It Now for only: $15.00 |
 5 ANTIQUE VICTORIAN CAST IRON FENCE FINIALS $9.99 Time Remaining: 11h 24m |
 TEN SPIKED SPEAR FINIALS Iron Cast Wrought Garden Fence $36.00 Time Remaining: 15d 8h 36m Buy It Now for only: $36.00 |
 LARGE TULIP VALANCE Cast Iron French Garden Fence $28.00 Time Remaining: 5d 9h 4m Buy It Now for only: $28.00 |
 VINTAGE METAL CHAIN LINK FENCE GATE FINIAL TOP BRACKET $15.99 Time Remaining: 5d 5h 22m Buy It Now for only: $15.99 |
 Antique Gothic Victorian Cast Iron Cross finial or fence topper picture frame $9.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 6h 13m |
 ANTIQUE CAST IRON CURTAIN DRAPPERY FENCE FINIAL $6.25 Time Remaining: 27d 23h 37m Buy It Now for only: $6.25 |
 Lot of 4 PLASTIC Fleur De Lis Finials for wrought cast iron fences $15.95 Time Remaining: 16d 16h 19m Buy It Now for only: $15.95 |
 TEN ACORN FINIALS Iron Cast Wrought Garden Fence $24.00 Time Remaining: 1d 15h 32m Buy It Now for only: $24.00 |
 Antique Cast Iron Horse Head Hitching Post Fence Finial $39.99 Time Remaining: 2d 8h 16m |
 CATTAIL BRACKETS Iron Cast Wrought Garden Fence Gate $48.00 Time Remaining: 4h 33m Buy It Now for only: $48.00 |
 TEN CATHEDRAL FINIALS Iron Cast Wrought Garden Fence $28.00 Time Remaining: 18d 1h 57m Buy It Now for only: $28.00 |
 Antique Gothic Victorian Cast Iron Cross finial or fence topper picture frame $9.99 Time Remaining: 15h 56m |
 ORNATE SPEAR FENCE FINIAL Cast Iron $14.99 Time Remaining: 18d 9h Buy It Now for only: $14.99 |
 Lot of 10 unfinished acorn finials ornaments Iron Cast Wrought Garden Fence NEW $38.95 Time Remaining: 16d 11h 18m Buy It Now for only: $38.95 |
 ORNAMENTAL CAST IRON FENCE CAPS FITS 3 4 SQ TUBING $5.00 Time Remaining: 18d 8h 59m Buy It Now for only: $5.00 |
 Antique Gothic Victorian Cast Iron Cross finial or fence topper picture frame $9.99 Time Remaining: 22h 34m Buy It Now for only: $10.99 |
 VINTAGE ANTIQUE FENCE GATE FINIALS CAPS INSERTS TOPPERS DECOR EARLY 1900S $49.95 Time Remaining: 12h 29m Buy It Now for only: $49.95 |
 GRAPE VINEYARD VALANCE Cast Iron French Garden Fence $36.00 Time Remaining: 15d 9h 8m Buy It Now for only: $36.00 |
 Antique Gothic Victorian Cast Iron Cross finial or fence topper picture frame $9.99 Time Remaining: 22h 38m Buy It Now for only: $10.99 |
 ORNAMENTAL CAST IRON FENCE CAPS FITS 1 2 SQ TUBING $5.00 Time Remaining: 18d 8h 59m Buy It Now for only: $5.00 |
 STATE OF TEXAS CREST Iron Cast Wrought Garden Fence $18.00 Time Remaining: 9d 2h 53m Buy It Now for only: $18.00 |
 TWO SMALL FRENCH CURLS Iron Cast Wrought Garden Fence $20.00 Time Remaining: 1d 16h 20m Buy It Now for only: $20.00 |
 VINTAGE Cast Iron FENCE FINIALS Lot of 10 great classic Design $9.50 Time Remaining: 6d 8h 45m |
 Antique wrought iron double finial fence 28 ft Nice lot $1,050.00 Time Remaining: 6d 10h Buy It Now for only: $1,050.00 |
 Small Iron Round Finial Architectural Salvage Fencing Gate E285 $12.50 Time Remaining: 20d 8h 43m Buy It Now for only: $12.50 |
 antique HEAVY BRASS GATE FENCE FINIALS complete set of 10 ARCHITECTURAL old $185.00 Time Remaining: 10d 6h 9m Buy It Now for only: $185.00 |
 Vintage Fence Topper Ornate Curved Rail Gate Trim Steel 1 Single Piece $7.50 Time Remaining: 4d 20h 43m |
 Vintage Cast Iron Finial Antique Old Garden Decor Stove Fence Gate Shabby 6709 $189.95 Time Remaining: 15d 12h 56m Buy It Now for only: $189.95 |
 Antique Vintage Victorian Cast Iron Gothic Cross Fence Topper Piece Part Lot $19.99 Time Remaining: 6d 16h 11m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 |
 Vintage Metal Cocker Spanial Dog Fence Gate 1950s Finial $29.99 Time Remaining: 4d 7h 15m Buy It Now for only: $33.00 |
 Greece antique 19th century solid brass fence gate rail finial $69.99 Time Remaining: 11d 5h 26m Buy It Now for only: $69.99 |
 Antique Cast Iron Fence Finials Curtain Rod Ends Set of 10 32 12 $175.00 Time Remaining: 17d 3h 2m Buy It Now for only: $175.00 |
 Fence Finials 4 Aluminum box of 50 NEW $45.00 Time Remaining: 26d 7h 54m Buy It Now for only: $45.00 |
 Cast Iron Finials and Fence Post Caps Large Assortment $300.00 Time Remaining: 2d 22h 30m Buy It Now for only: $500.00 |
 W8 6218 TURNED PINE FENCE POST FINIAL 4 1 2 X 3 $19.89 Time Remaining: 8h 17m Buy It Now for only: $19.89 |
 19th century VICTORIAN FENCE finial POST caps 5 h x 3 $35.00 Time Remaining: 7d 14h 27m Buy It Now for only: $35.00 |
 Iron Gatefence $425.00 Time Remaining: 27d 11h 7m Buy It Now for only: $425.00 |
 Antique Victorian Iron Roof Cresting Finial Fencing 35 Ft 20 in High Nice Design $1,495.00 Time Remaining: 1d 13h 32m |
 LOT OF CAST IRON FINIALS FENCE $59.00 Time Remaining: 13d 5h 6m Buy It Now for only: $59.00 |
 Iron Round Finial Architectural Salvage Fencing Gate E286 $45.00 Time Remaining: 23d 5h 22m Buy It Now for only: $45.00 |
 Cast Iron FENCE FINIALS Lot of 10 great classic Design B $9.50 Time Remaining: 6d 8h 43m |
 8 Pair of Antique Cast Iron Ball Finials for 4x4 Gate Fence Sign Post Top $129.95 Time Remaining: 20d 1h 30m Buy It Now for only: $129.95 |
 Black Beehive Cast Metal Finials Fence Post Old NY $39.95 Time Remaining: 22d 14h 19m Buy It Now for only: $39.95 |
 14 ft run of flame finial and floral finial antique wrought iron fence $350.00 Time Remaining: 6d 9h 58m Buy It Now for only: $350.00 |
 ANTIQUE FENCE OR GATE FINIAL VERY DECORATIVE $17.95 Time Remaining: 1d 57m Buy It Now for only: $19.95 |
 ANTIQUE ARCHITECTURAL CAST IRON GATE FENCE FINIAL LAMP POST ART COLUMN GARDEN $495.00 Time Remaining: 28d 4h 57m Buy It Now for only: $495.00 |
 17 Antique 14 long Steel Spear Head Finial for Steel GateFenceAwning or Post $139.95 Time Remaining: 20d 33m Buy It Now for only: $139.95 |
 Vintage Atlas Fence Pole Finial $9.99 Time Remaining: 5d 8h 3m |
 10 Antique Cast Iron Ball gatesign fence or post Finial for 4x4 wood post $69.95 Time Remaining: 20d 5m Buy It Now for only: $69.95 |
 14 Pair of Antique SteelCast IronMetalGateFenceAwning 8 3 4 Spear Finial $179.95 Time Remaining: 20d 22m Buy It Now for only: $179.95 |
 Decorative Red Black Cast Iron pineapple Finial Fence $125.00 Time Remaining: 16d 13h 24m Buy It Now for only: $125.00 |
 Antique Architectural Wrought Iron Salvage Gate Fence Finials Wall Garden Art $34.99 Time Remaining: 1d 12h 32m |
 Antique wrought iron fence with simple arrow finials 26 ft lot $850.00 Time Remaining: 6d 9h 58m Buy It Now for only: $850.00 |
 Round Cast Iron Salvaged Finial Fence Post E219 $55.00 Time Remaining: 6d 8h 37m Buy It Now for only: $55.00 |
 W8 6229 ORNATE TURNED PINE FENCE POST FINIAL 5 3 4 X 3 $38.95 Time Remaining: 27d 8h 22m Buy It Now for only: $38.95 |
 Set of 4 Cast Iron Metal Fleur De Lis Decorative Finials for Fence Posts $9.99 Time Remaining: 6d 11h 10m |
 Lot 18 cast iron fence top FINIALS antique 18th Century COLONIAL PHILADELPHIA $776.00 Time Remaining: 14d 5h 8m Buy It Now for only: $776.00 |
 Antique ornate wrought iron railing or fence Fleu de Lis finial 40 ft lot $1,850.00 Time Remaining: 6d 9h 58m Buy It Now for only: $1,850.00 |
 COCKER SPANIEL DOG FENCE GATE STATUE FIGURE Finial Topper Vintage Aluminum $29.99 Time Remaining: 6d 4h 22m |
 Antique wrought iron fence ornate finials 32 ft $1,250.00 Time Remaining: 6d 9h 58m Buy It Now for only: $1,250.00 |
 GARDEN FENCE w BRASS FINIALS 20s wrought iron 51 $3,990.00 Time Remaining: 10d 9h 24m Buy It Now for only: $3,990.00 |
 2 19TH C AMER GOTHIC VICTORIAN IRON FENCE FINIALS $45.00 Time Remaining: 21d 16h 36m Buy It Now for only: $45.00 |
 Bulk Lot of 50 Iron Fleur de Lis Finials used Gates Fencing etc $50.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 15h 35m |
 19TH C AMERICAN GOTHIC VICTORIAN IRON FENCE FINIAL $35.00 Time Remaining: 21d 15h 8m Buy It Now for only: $35.00 |
 19TH C AMERICAN GOTHIC VICTORIAN IRON FENCE FINIALS T 2 $25.00 Time Remaining: 19d 21h 44m Buy It Now for only: $25.00 |
Garden Finials - A Fine Addition to Any Yard
Whether garden finials mimic the heads on a pike found outside medieval manors is fact or fiction is unknown. The origins have been lost in time. But the marking of property with fences goes back to the era of sharecropping, when peasants worked the lord's vast holdings. To prevent encroachment, these nobles began to fence off their lands. These fences were often embellished with finely wrought ornamentation on the tops of posts.
Today, these continue to pay homage to this noble practice of fencing lands and adding embellishments. Thankfully, the head on pike design has fallen out of favor with homeowners. But there are plenty of wonderful designs for finials to fit any garden you have in mind.
A finial can be as simple as mirrored, wood or metal spheres or as exotic as pointed ones of porcelain, said to warn off evil spirits in China. The pineapple, the traditional sign of welcome in colonial times, continues to be a popular choice as well.
Finials aren't limited to stand alone pieces either. If you have your garden fenced off, you can add garden finials along the fence line as well. These additions will help keep birds from perching on the posts, looking for a tasty planting to have for breakfast. These finials also help keep water out of the fence poles. You can also add these to arbors and archways to add style to otherwise plain cedar or wrought iron structures.
If you think these are just for fences and posts, think again. In the more ornate gardens of kings and queens, finials have been used at the end of large stone or brick walls or as decorations for entryways into the home from the garden area. These are often large masonry, marble or carved works that can weigh in at several hundred pounds. Many of these garden finials resemble ancient Greek or Roman urns or have grapes or sprays of flowers in them.
On the antique market, these finials can fetch thousands of dollars in auction. But thankfully, many manufacturers have emulated these, using modern techniques. This not only keeps the cost down, but reduces maintenance as well.
Selecting them is fairly straightforward. If you have a smaller garden, a single finial can serve as an accent, creating focus in the garden or visually separating two different spaces. In larger gardens, you can use them to add non-floral splendor to the space, adding artistic elements that reflect your unique personality or interests. You can choose pieces that are as modern as you want, or go back in time to the traditional designs of the lords and ladies of the manor.
If your selections don't capture enough attention, consider adding a pedestal to raise your garden finials up a foot or two. This is particularly effective if you have mature plants that are taller than the finials you want to display.
As the owner of many online sites, author Jennifer Akre, shares her insight on how to make your outdoor living space more comfortable with charming garden finials, wonderful weathervanes and stunning weathervane cupola
About the Author
Grade adjustable Trinity fence