Rare Art Deco Milliner’s Head Signed and Dated by Fashion Designer Paul Poiret 1916 - 14½"

An exceptional Art Deco–era milliner’s mannequin head from the Années Folles, traditionally hand formed in papier-mâché and finished in soft, hand-painted polychromy. The stylized female face is animated by elongated, lash-framed eyes, arched brows, and rose-tinted lips, framed by glossy black hair cut in a short, graphic fringe typical of the period. A scalloped painted collar encircles the neck, echoing the decorative vocabulary of early 20th-century fashion illustration and couture display.  As is typical of such working forms, the back is left open, a practical feature that allowed the papier mâché to be released from its mold and fully dried while keeping the form lightweight for workshop use. The surface displays a richly timeworn patina with areas of paint wear, soft abrasion, and age-related texture, all consistent with long use and contributing to the object’s strong sense of history and authenticity.

The marotte is signed and dated 1916 by Paul Poiret (1879–1944), the celebrated couturier and a leading figure of modern fashion who pioneered avant-garde design in the early 20th century. Both sculptural and evocative, this rare example bridges the worlds of fashion history, folk art, and decorative sculpture, bringing a bold, poetic presence and a direct link to the creative spirit of the Années Folles.

Condition and patina consistent with age.
Approx. overall 14½" high x 5" wide x 4¾" deep
Approx. overall 37cm high x 13cm wide x 12cm deep