Religious club. Authority symbol.
 

I know this is not a weapon to cause physical damage but still of interest a think? If not then it can be removed.

Took me a while for the light bulb to come on. A catholic piece but from a mission deep in the back woods. All the shapes the squares, triangle , circles, and skull and crossed bones, I did not understand at fist. However the bleeding heart pointed the way for research. The terminals are ivory and I am pretty sure the inlays are too. The turning makes me think of India but could also be African. Quite crude turning, probably on a bow lathe. All light weight wood. The most strange thing is the centre section being just a piece of a branch with bark removed and roughly sanded. It is 61cm long, a most curious thing. It has been around a long time. I wish it could speak. I could get the wood tested but It is not cheap, too much to for me.

Tim,

This is a fascinating piece. As you suggest, I'd go with Catholic religious scepter/mace iconography. However, I don't really see African or Indian idioms. Why couldn't it be a piece of Primitive or Outsider devotional art, even European or US. The white designs could even be plastic. Hopefully, others with a more sophisticated eye can add more.

Regards,
Ed

Maybe the 'rough' centre section was originally covered in something; velvet, leather etc.
Regards
Richard