Finial
18th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The large-scale expansion of the brass industry in Europe dates from the late 17th century. It was driven by improvements in the supply of zinc combined with an increasing understanding of the chemical structure of the alloy. At the same time brass founders began to favour moulds of sand instead of clay. This reduced the cost of casting, and soon the range of cast brass goods increased dramatically. By the 19th century, brass had become extremely versatile and inexpensive and the applications were almost endless.
This finial, probably from a Baroque tomb railing, is cast and chased in gilt brass and features scrolling foliage.
This finial, probably from a Baroque tomb railing, is cast and chased in gilt brass and features scrolling foliage.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Gilt brass, cast and chased |
| Brief description | Brass finial formed of interlacing foliated scrolls of rococo character in openwork, terminating in a knob, French, 18th century |
| Physical description | Formed of interlacing foliated scrolls of rococo character in openwork, rising from a short stem and terminating in a knob, at the bottom is an iron spike. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by J. H. Fitzhenry |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | The large-scale expansion of the brass industry in Europe dates from the late 17th century. It was driven by improvements in the supply of zinc combined with an increasing understanding of the chemical structure of the alloy. At the same time brass founders began to favour moulds of sand instead of clay. This reduced the cost of casting, and soon the range of cast brass goods increased dramatically. By the 19th century, brass had become extremely versatile and inexpensive and the applications were almost endless. This finial, probably from a Baroque tomb railing, is cast and chased in gilt brass and features scrolling foliage. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 833-1902 |
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| Record created | February 12, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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