Baluster

(corruptly banister and ballaster) is a small pillar usually made circular, and swelling in the middle or towards the bottom (entasis), commonly used in a balustrade. A wide baluster-shaft occurs in the Romanesque styles of the 11th and 12th centuries in England and elsewhere. These have evidently been turned in a lathe in many instances, and it has been observed that in Yorkshire they bear a great resemblance to the spokes of a cart- wheel at the present day, also turned in a lathe in the same manner. From that period it was disused till the revival of Classical architecture in Italy.