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| Photo by Rachel Oakes |
A few weeks ago, I was browsing through my friend Rachel Oakes' photos she had taken on a recent jaunt to a small British village, and I
paused when I came across one photo. "Is that a peacock on the roof??"
I asked, surprised. She explained that it was actually a straw
sculpture on the thatched roof, known as a straw
finial. We continued in conversation as she explained that such things
were quite common in the villages around her. Meanwhile I was
positively glowing with glee to find something so utterly charming,
whimsical, and magical.
I knew all of you would enjoy them too.
According to an excellent write-up on the tradition at this link, the tradition originated from small straw sculpts on top of hayricks
and straw stacks. Taking the form of birds, crosses, crowns, boats,
apples, and more, the ornaments were, at least according to some,
supposed to be a friendly way to show which hayrick
belonged to whom.
Folklore also suggested that the straw sculptures could ward of witches
and birds. The witches were given "something to play with, thus
diverting her attention from making mischief elsewhere."
Although the earliest examples of decorative straw finials date to 1689,
it's still easy to find artists making these organic ornaments today.
Below are a few of my favorite examples I was able to find online.
