This is an interesting stair newel from the 1890's. It is very ornate with with split turnings on the clipped corners and applied sections on the flat panels that have been veneered. I particularly like, though, the turned and carved finial on top. I reproduced a similar baluster for a customer in New York. The shank was six sided. I can't tell if these are round or sided. The image is from the picasa acct of rkolex