The craftsmanship is superb on both pieces but they don't work together for me. I think the walnut needs a darker finial - but then, maybe we need to do something different from dark finials.
I love the way you matched the walnut blanks, that's great attention to detail which is what sets stuff apart from the ordinary.
Scott, there is so much to like with this piece. The hollow form is great. A great use of two pieces to make a nice homogeneous piece with some great character. As best I can tell your finish if fabulous. I really like the maple finial. The top two elements look great to me. I think they are well in balance and work well with the hollow form. The part that is bothering me is the series of coves and ridges. A smoother transition from hollow form to finial would have made this piece a real winner in my book. Still not bad at all. Just a better piece if that sections were different. 8-)
With that much grain in the Walnut, I would have used a plainer wood for the finial like Holly, so it would still be light. I also think that the bottom portion of the finial is too "busy" for the plain but dramatic upper part.