Tessarael
Explorer
I would allow someone with the Circusfolk culture to treat it as a proficient improvised weapon. I don't see why hitting someone with the object wouldn't do damage. However, that is how it was written in 5E D&D. I guess the intent was to trade off the immediate attack damage vs. the ongoing fire damage.
On a side note, that Circusfolk proficiency with improvised weapons also applies to the shield bonus action attack, if you're using a shield with a weapon that has the defensive property.
On a side note, that Circusfolk proficiency with improvised weapons also applies to the shield bonus action attack, if you're using a shield with a weapon that has the defensive property.