Marotte

Used by milliners and hairdressers to create or display their models, a marotte is a mannequin made of wood, cardboard, wax or other materials. They are designed to look like a woman’s head so hats, wigs and other headgear can be placed on top.

This marotte, made of wheel turned terracotta blackened by firing, is basic and functional. The potter did make a stylized face with small, round eyes and a hooked nose. At the base, live embers can be placed inside an opening like a mouth to heat the marotte in order to press and shape bonnets and other headgear.