thumb|Fool's scepter, Germany or France, 1565–1600 in [[Germanisches Nationalmuseum|Germanisches National Museum - Nuremberg, Germany]]
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"<!--This word unfortunately redirects to "Christmas tree ornament".--> or a fad.
Typically carried by a jester or Arlecchino, 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 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.
In the children's TV series Rentaghost, the ghostly jester Timothy Claypole has a marotte referred to as "Tiny Timothy".
Gallery
<gallery>
Marotte - Niederwindemer Schindlejokel.jpg|Niederwindemer Schindlejokel
Marotte.jpg|Marotte of Deutsch
Marotte 2.jpg|Before 1848
Marotte - Welschkorngeister - Denzlingen.jpg|Welschkorngeister - Denzlingen
Marotte - Hölle-Leue - Freiburg-Rieselfeld.jpg|Hölle-Leue - Freiburg-Rieselfeld
Marotte - Burgnarren - Freiburg-Zähringen.jpg|Burgnarren - Freiburg-Zähringen
Marotte Musée du jouet de Moirans-en-Montagne 19072017 1.jpg|Musée du jouet de Moirans-en-Montagne
Rocca di Angera - Museo della Bambola Marotte.jpg|Rocca di Angera - Museo della Bambola
Marotte - détail du dessin Le pas du Danube bleu. Caricature de Valio. Le Journal amusant 10 mars 1877.jpg|détail du dessin Le pas du Danube bleu. Caricature de Valio. Le Journal amusant 10 mars 1877
Grandville - A chaque fou plaît sa marotte.jpg|Grandville - A chaque fou plaît sa marotte
Émile Moreau-Roi et Paysan-10.jpg|Émile Moreau-Roi et Paysan
Carlègle - Les Linottes page 0160.jpg|Carlègle - Les Linottes
Triboulet en prière.png|Triboulet en prière
Chambers 1908 Bauble.png|Chambers 1908 Bauble
Playing Cards 7547.JPG|Playing Cards
VSAN TT 2014 So055.jpg|VSAN TT 2014
VSAN Wgt 2015 568 Schalknarr.jpg|VSAN Wgt 2015 568 Schalknarr
Heinrich_Vogtherr_d._J._Schalksnarr.JPG|A jester shown with a marotte in a 1540 woodcut by Heinrich Vogtherr the Younger
Pirata marioneta lou.jpg|Pirata marioneta lou
Kind mit Maske und Narrenzepter 19Jh.jpg|Kind mit Maske und Narrenzepter 19Jh
Three Fools of Carnival.jpg|Three Fools of Carnival
Zwei Szepter - Johli und Feuerteufel.JPG|Zwei Szepter - Johli und Feuerteufel
Seeräuber Titisee (20.01.2019 - 2) - Captain.jpg|Seeräuber Titisee
Philippe Mercier Jeune garçon en costume de folie.jpg|Philippe Mercier Jeune garçon en costume de folie
Narrenzunft Nordrach (03.02.2019) - Zunftmeister.jpg|Narrenzunft Nordrach - Zunftmeister
Renaissance fair - people 71.JPG|Renaissance fair
Jester statue, Stratford-upon-Avon - DSC08915.JPG|The Jester Statue on Henley Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, England.
Jester's bauble MET 29534.jpg|Jester's bauble
Frederick Locker (Waddy, 1872).jpg|Frederick Locker (Waddy, 1872)
When Depew goes to the Senate by Homer Davenport (cropped).jpg|When Depew goes to the Senate by Homer Davenport (cropped)
Quentin Massys 030.jpg|Quentin Massys
Brooklyn Museum - For What Was I Created? - William Holbrook Beard - overall.jpg|Brooklyn Museum - For What Was I Created? - William Holbrook Beard - overall
Jan Pietersz. Saenredam - The Fool - Google Art Project.jpg|Jan Pietersz. Saenredam - The Fool
A Court Fool of the 15th Century color.jpg|A Court Fool of the 15th Century
Jacquemart de Hesdin 001.jpg|Jacquemart de Hesdin
Hieronymus Bosch 011.jpg|Hieronymus Bosch
Bajazz mit der Laterne von der Mainzer Künstlerin Inge Blum, eine Symbolfigur des Mainzer Karnevals - panoramio.jpg|Bajazz mit der Laterne von der Mainzer Künstlerin Inge Blum, eine Symbolfigur des Mainzer Karnevals - panoramio
</gallery>
See also
- Cap and bells