Finial Style: Point/Crescent

Location Housed: Authors Collection

Measurements: 9.75" X 6.03"X .84" opening

Recovery Location: www.sales platform

Finial Attribution: Unknown

Photograph Attribution: Author

Additional Information: This particular flagstaff finial is one of the most unusual seen by the author in the last 20 years. I will simply spend time trying to describe the piece rather than trying to write fluff that is probably not true.

First, the piece is covered in a gold paint, often seen when items are found in Grand Army of the Republic [GAR] halls. The ferrule has one hole on the lower side which is used to affix a screw for fastening the finial to a flagstaff. Normally with this style point, which is definitely Civil War period, the point can be unscrewed from the ferrule. In this case, the point appears to have been removed from the ferrule, then the crescent was placed in the middle between the two. The crescent was brazed into place and appears the gold paint was then applied to cover the joint location.

What's very strange about the piece is the fact that the crescent is identical in manufacture to the point. So, that makes one think the entire piece was manufactured in this manner, the point or crescent became loose, and someone decided to braze the pieces together so there would be no more looseness of the pieces.

I have spoken with several people about this piece, and I have gotten several replies including the piece is possibly Islamic, Masonic, Oddfellows, Jewish, and American Indian Iconography. What I do know, is   that this style point was manufactured post-Civil War.  I have also researched the crescent and its meaning with certain groups which leaves even more questions.
I was hoping to be able to tell you the piece belonged to some Confederate regiment from New Orleans, but I have not been lucky enough to confirm that type story. If you have any information that may help with identification on this piece, please email me. My email can be found on the home page.

 

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