Roof Finial, 19th Century
Javanese culture; Central Java Province, Java, Indonesia
Earthenwar…

Architectural Finial

ClassificationsArchitectural Elements-finials

Culture Javanese

Date19th Century

Made AtCentral Java Province, Indonesia, Asia

MediumEarthenware and lime

Dimensionsa: 25 × 14 1/2 × 13 1/2 in. (63.5 × 36.8 × 34.3 cm)
b: 18 1/2 × 21 × 21 in. (47 × 53.3 × 53.3 cm)
a and b together: 26 × 36 3/4 in. (66 × 93.3 cm)

Credit LineGift of Maureen and Harold Zarember

Object number2012.3.1a,b

DescriptionThe finial is composed of two parts, a and b. The base (part b) of the finial is hollow and pyramid-shaped, with a circular opening at the center. There is a lid (part a) which has a deep circular lip that fits over opening on the main body, but forms into a square shape with a cylindrical column at the center. There is a decorative peak at each corner of the square portion of both parts as well as three-dimensional decorative elements, including doves, covering the surface area of each part. There is a dove at the top of the cylindrical column on the top (part a).

Finials like these would have adorned the home of a noble's traditional home. Doves are symbols of ancestors and the upperworld in Javanese culture.

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