Staircases grand and modest are finished with a finial, a largely decorative element also known as a Newel post cap, the same as George Bailey repeatedly grabs a hold of in "It's a Wonderful Life." ...

I'm a finial! This decorative element can be found on buildings, furniture, flagpoles, fence posts, walls, curtain rods, lamps and even handles of souvenir spoons.

Hitching posts were found outside of homes, barns, and public places. The Victorian love of ornament led to many of these posts being adorned with a decorative motif on the post or finial, and designs ...