Marotte

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.

For other uses, see Marotte (disambiguation).

A jester shown with a marotte in a 1540 woodcut by Heinrich Vogtherr the Younger

Typically carried by a jester or harlequin, the miniature head often reflects 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.

In popular culture

In the children's TV series Rentaghost, the stick was referred to as a "Tiny Timothy".

In Verdi's opera Rigoletto, the singer of the title role, a jester, carries a marotte, which often has on it the faces of comedy and tragedy.

See also

• Cap and bells