The Woodlands people sometimes favored visual puns in conceiving a work. A ball-headed club in practical use would be held in hand—so here the club is carved to illustrate a sleeved hand grasping a ball.

The ‘sleeve’ is incised and carved to mimic the design one might find on a quill-worked or bead decorated jacket. The incised carvings represent vines and other floral motifs. Heavy zigzag ‘stitching’ runs up the sleeve. The whole is compact and though it has a sense of power when held in hand it was likely carved for ceremonial or ritualistic use.