Hi
It is made from Bog Oak, this is Oak which fell into a bog around 10,000 years ago and buried in a few meters of bog
The oak turns into this extremely heavy dense black wood.
Yew and pines also are found and they go a more red golden colour.
This wood is v v tough and difficult to work with as it is impregnated with silt and sand.
These batons come up fairly regularly at auctions here in Ireland identified as many different things.
Generally quiet short for a batton and the use i believe they are for is a batton killing fish sometimes called a "Priest".
Google" bog oak sculpture" and you will see lots of carvings and a more detailed explanation of the formation of bog oak.
I did sculpture years ago and this material blunted chisels in minutes.
Regards and nice item by the way
Ken
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