Graphical Construction Glossary >> stairs. >> general >> Handrail Scroll

Handrail Scroll

A spiral type ending to a stair handrail. In most cases they they transform from the sloping section to the horizontal plane. Also called a Handrail Volute in the US.

The function of a scroll is purely decorative many modern staircase do not use them or only give a slight nod to their existance.

The term is derived from it's similarity to the common representation of a scroll (partly unrolled parchment) or to the scrolls on top of Greek columns. The form is a decreasing spiral.

The geometry is fairly simple as it is a series of 90deg. arcs of diminishing size.

Another quite nice handrail volute.

A form loved by blacksmiths through the ages. The decreasing spiral. Thanks to Clarita and Morguefile for the photo.

On odd occaisions we see a vertically orientated scroll. Mostly it s done in metal, with tubing just having a semicircular end to it. This particular photo though shows a really nice wrought iron one. It is also a true scrollin the respect that it is a diminishing spriral.

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Adam Smith 1723-1790

"When we build, let us think that we build for ever."John Ruskin 1819-1900