"LE COQ BABETTE" circa 1950 - Lot 231

"LE COQ BABETTE" circa 1950 Wooden and chromed metal electrified iron for ribbons, sleeves and knots, resting on a rectangular wooden base with a power regulator knob. In original box. (trace of glue, some scratches). Height Height : 27 cm NOTICE: "Old Babeth cock iron for lace and ribbon on wooden base for inflating ribbon shells. Small ironing instrument with egg-shaped iron head. Its name comes from the fact that it was used to shape ribbon shells, i.e. the loops of knots made with ribbons. Bows and ribbons have long been a popular item of toiletry decoration, and were worn everywhere, sometimes from head to toe. The iron was vertical, so the ironer didn't need to hold it: her hands were free to handle the ribbons and use the ball to iron and shape them. This iron was not only used for ribbons, it was also very useful for giving puffiness to balloon sleeves, lace bonnets, all those elements so difficult to iron with a flat iron that crushes everything. It was also sometimes called a bubbling iron. It's really magical for giving volume to the little sleeves of old children's dresses, for example, to gathered lace, to headdresses..."