carved wooden stamp stick

This unusually shaped foot long 6 sided piece of wood carries repeating patterns (different ones throughout) along all 6 sides. Each side has a number of carved patterns. I believe it to be a tool used to imprint decorative patterns on cookies etc. in the kitchen. I have not seen another like it before or since. I would be interesting in finding out more about it, how old is it? Is my guess as to it's use correct? Is it associated with a particular country/ethnic group? Insurance value? that kind of thing!

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