Marotte

A marotte is a prop stick or sceptre with a carved head on it.

The word is borrowed from the French, where it signifies either a fool's (literal) "bauble" or a fad.

Modern marottes typically have music boxes or other machinery built into the head.

Older marottes may utilize swivel heads with bells.

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.