19th Century French Hand Painted Paper Mâché Marotte Bust

$1,200

About

Add a conversation starter to your art collection with this hand painted, papier mâché bust. Created in France circa 1880, the head sculpture has theatrical, cartoon-like facial details. This type of bust is commonly called marotte in French, and is completely hand painted. A marotte is a prop stick or sceptre with a carved head on it. Jesters usually used a marotte. The word is borrowed from the French, where it signifies either a fool’s (literal) “bauble”, or a fad/craze. Typically carried by a jester or harlequin, the miniature head will often reflect the costume of the jester who carries it. Modern marottes typically have music boxes or other machinery built into the head. Older marottes may utilize swivel heads with bells. Measures: 5.5″ W x 4.5″ D x 14.5″ H.

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