Yes, at last we get to talk about telegraph pole finials.  This prompted by John Woodall (#425H) who sent us the photograph (right) of his mystery object, described as 11" x 8" which appears to form part of his garden furniture.  The brass door-knob on the top is a later addition.

It was the Victorians who first started to decorate their telegraph poles with finials.  This, presumably, to pretty up this ugly [sic] industrial architecture which was springing up across their countryside.  But this is likely to be one as fitted by the GPO, in the 1930s.  If, like me, you have your head forever skywards, you will spot more of them.  The one at left, one of a run of them near More Church, Shropshire.

Later GPO finials were made of metal.  And amazingly you can pick one up on eBay for a song.  The selection below all sold at recent auctions - they ranged in price from 99p for the wooden one to £9.06.  Clearly nobody understands the value of these things.  Maybe it's time I cornered the market?