Ménigoutte's Marotte - 19th Century - Popular Art

Ménigoute's marotte, in terracotta Popular Art early 19th century, anthropomorphic hairdressing head. Ménigoute, between Poitiers and Niort, Deux-Sèvres (Poitou-Charente / Nouvelle Aquitaine). Used to place headdresses to iron them (or wigs at the end of the 18th century). Originally a term designating the grotesque scepter of the King's Fool, and, by figurative extension, also designating, and still today, the object of a mad passion. This marotte is stylized in a very refined way, typical opening at its base which can represent a mouth, but above all allowing to place an ember in order to heat the marotte and the headdress, and, thus, that the milliner or the seamstress starches it more easily. Good condition, note small chips at the base which are quite usual.