Poppy Heads, Architecture
POPPY HEADS, ARCHITECTURE, a term, in architecture, given to the finials or other ornaments which terminate the tops of bench ends, either to pews or stalls. They are sometimes small human heads, sometimes richly carved images, knots of foliages or finials, and sometimes fleurs-de-lis simply cut out of the thickness of the bench end and chamfered. The term is probably derived from the French poupee, doll, puppet, used also in this sense, or from the flower, from a resemblance in shape.
Note - this article incorporates content from Encyclopaedia Britannica, Eleventh Edition, (1910-1911)
