Reproduction of Memorial Continental Hall Staircase Finial

This crystal pine cone ("pine apple") is an adaptation of the glass pinecones in Memorial Continental Hall. Twenty-six glass finials in the shape of a pinecone grace the twenty-six newel posts of the two elegant staircases in the original DAR headquarters. Each staircase has thirteen posts, symbolizing the thirteen original colonies. In colonial times, the fruit of any tree was known as the "apple." Hence, the fruit of the pine tree, the cone, was known as the "pine apple." Made of cut and polished lead glass, the original finials may have been crafted by any one of the hundreds of American glass manufactories making fine cut glass during the early 20th century. It is also possible that they were ordered from Europe. Heritage Irish Crystal of County Waterford, Ireland, made this exquisite replica.