Straw Finials

Straw Finials are sculptures made from straw, mainly in the shapes of animals etc to adorn the tops of thatched cottages.  It is difficult to put an exact date on when these were first made but T.G Paterson documented them in them on a house in Ireland back 1689.  Some of the early  finials also known as rick ornaments were also placed on top of straw rick (stacks) This was a quantity of straw that was thatched to keep it dry until needed.  The finials may have been used for the purpose of showing what rick belong to who or what thatcher had thatched the rick.  Some believed they would frighten away birds and pests while others thought it would distract the witches from tampering with the precious content of the rick.  

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As farming techniques changed unfortunately the sight of ricks was no longer a common place across the country's farms but thankfully the finials continued to take pride of place on top of the newly thatched roofs.  As the craft of thatching became more ornate with addition of decorative patterned ridges and elaborate hazel work trellises,  as did some of the finials that were made.  Early finials may have been simple cockerels, crosses etc but now can be made in many stunning designs.  

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A lot of the thatched properties are listed and many of the people who live in them feel they are just custodians of the property and feel a duty to maintain the historic importance of the house.  The addition of a straw finial to their roof is a temporary way of the owner adding their own personal touch to the property during their tenure and by doing so, they are also keeping one of this country's great traditional folk arts alive.

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Below are some examples of straw finals and if you have any old photos of straw/rick finials you would like to share, please contact us.