I was given a round dowel type rod about 3 feet long..?

it was found in a paint shop while cleaning. It has an end formed into a handle and the rest is separated into 6 strips of wood. Imagine splitting a broom handle into 6ths all the way up. When you tap it against your hand, it rattles the six sections. (trying to be as explicit as I can) Thought it might be a paint stirrer of sorts but a 3 FOOT stirrer? Do we have any antique dealers out there?