What is this wooden carving

Since no dimensions have been given, it's hard to say whether it's small or large.

It's still an old, weathered wheel hub, though.

Edit: I stand corrected - that is large.

 

That's twice the size of the wagon hubs I've seen. Maybe more.

 

I asked a well-known wheelright and cannoneer, ex-museum director Matt Switlik, who sez: "It looks like a unfinished late-pattern Sarven hub turning. These are still used in common Amish buggy wheels. When the cast steel flanged housings are pressed on(after trimming a lot off each end), the flanged ends hold the spokes and are bolted together."

 

Here's a wood inner-core for a Sarven hub, which looks much like OP's. OP's was never used in a wheel because the axle-hole was bored too far off-center.

http://www.albertacarriagesupply.ne...012/08/Sarven-Hub-Core-shown-with-Flanges.jpg

In this photo, the bolt holes have not yet been drilled in the flanges of the two steel outer halves.

 

Just ran across this photo with one of these on display. This is in a mansion recently purchased in Chicago by the Bear's running back, Matt Forte. The way both are mounted makes me a bit suspicious. I do think it to be a wheel hub but now wonder about the source. They are way too similar to be coincidental.

 

Re-purposed as ART......sold by designers ....to rich folks who don't know better !