Bob,
I used 5 coats of Minwax poly sanded with 600 between 4 of the coats the last one I used 0000 steel wool. The problem I had was I didn't know that Gabon Ebony was a oily wood & after 3 days the finish still wasn't dry. I tried to sand it off but all 5 finials cracked so I had to re do them. my local Lowes was supposed to carry Deft high gloss spray laquer but they just stopped carrying it for a brand called "Cabots" that's what's on 3 of the finials they came out pretty good.
Chuck