maul·stick also mahl·stick 
(môlstĭk′)
(môlstĭk′)n.
A long wooden stick used by painters as a support to keep the hand that holds the brush from touching the painting surface.
[Partial translation of obsolete Dutch maalstok : malen, to paint (from Middle Dutch, from mal, a spot, mark) + stok, stick.]
maulstick1556 Self-Portrait at the Easel by Sofonisba Anguissola
(1532?-1625)