Can you show a picture of the house from the front? Looks like some sort of Victorian gingerbread embellishment, but need more context.

Onion shaped finial trim. This trim on a home called a Garrison Colonial.

Without seeing a picture of the whole front of your house I can't tell if this is appropriate ornamentation for your house or not.

yes, it's a finial. If you don't like it, take it to an antique shop for consignment.

help pay for a can of paint.

Thank you all for the help! This makes sense. It looks odd as there is only one, which I think is because the previous owner made an addition (this is on the back of the home). It probably looked nicer when there was some symmetry to it!

At one time, when houses were constructed using heavy timber frames, this was an extension of the cantilevered frame, and wasn't removable (except with a saw).