Malacca item possibly used as a priest or even by a press gang.
The object seems to be a form of priest. It is 13in (33cm) long, made of what seems to be malacca cane.
It is heavy and I would think the cane has been filled and weighted. Each end is also weighted and beautifully bound with cane work.
If it were a priest to dispatch fish or game I would have thought this cane work would quickly become damaged or soiled. A suggestion has been made that it was used when press ganging. Other suggestions very welcome.
Alan Sturrock
