or…
See if you can find an “engineering o-ring kit” with various inside and outside diameters. Using a specific diameter rod try and find an o-ring combination that grips the rod but still allows it to slip. The addition of a little white lithium grease to the assembly might be helpful as well.
The o-ring would have to be supported by some kind of structure.
You might try a google search of “soft-close or slow-close hinge” for some inspiration.