Well, it is for certain not a cavalry lance. Could be a flag pole, but I woudn't think it'd be one made of iron. Usually just the finial and tip was made of metal.
Later on I was thinking of a top of a fence, too, but that little curve still pushes me toward a tine. Of course, if the curve was "after the fact," the top of a wrought iron fence looks good. Some of them were menacing. Good luck!