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A Rare Oversized Early Fairground Papier Mâché Clown’s Head
Sold by Branching Out Antiques
sold SA1024634
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
Branching Out Antiques

Branching Out Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Apr 2022
Browse dealers 81 items
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    Decorative & country house antiques, including art and taxidermy
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Id #SA1024634
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A Rare Oversized Early Fairground Papier Mâché Clown’s Head

1920 - 1940
Sold 30 April 2025 · Branching Out Antiques
This “Rare Oversized Early Fairground Papier Mâché Clown’s Head” found a buyer.

It was listed by Branching Out Antiques. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

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Antique Fairground DecorVintage Circus Decor Ask the dealer for something similar
Description

A wonderful large French papier mâché clown’s head that would have hung over the entry door to a fairground games room, possibly a series of passe-boules games.

Dating from the first half of the 20th Century, the head is in decent original condition with no repairs or losses.

The fixing bracket to the wooden back of the head is missing so it may since have just sat on a table instead of hanging which has caused a slight collapsing of the papier mâché of the neck but with no losses or breaks, and I have to say it looks just as decorative and impressive on a surface as on a wall.

A scarce piece of fairground memorabilia.

Date of Manufacture

Branching Out Antiques has dated this Papier Mache Clown Head to the 1930s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1024634
Description
A wonderful large French papier mâché clown’s head that would have hung over the entry door to a fairground games room, possibly a series of passe-boules games.
“
Dating from the first half of the 20th Century, the head is in decent original condition with no repairs or losses.
Branching Out Antiques
fig 1. An oversized vintage papier mache clown head with painted facial features, a pointed hat, and a red ruff collar mounted on a wall.
fig 1. A Rare Oversized Early Fairground Papier Mâché Clown’s Head

The fixing bracket to the wooden back of the head is missing so it may since have just sat on a table instead of hanging which has caused a slight collapsing of the papier mâché of the neck but with no losses or breaks, and I have to say it looks just as decorative and impressive on a surface as on a wall.

A scarce piece of fairground memorabilia.

Date of Manufacture

Branching Out Antiques has dated this Papier Mache Clown Head to the 1930s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1024634
Branching Out Antiques
Branching Out Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Apr 2022

Decorative & country house antiques, including art and taxidermy

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Branching Out Antiques Profile Page

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An oversized vintage papier mache clown head with painted facial features, a pointed hat, and a red ruff collar mounted on a wall. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
1 / 10
Archive I An oversized vintage papier mache clown head with painted facial features, a pointed hat, and a red ruff collar mounted on a wall. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

A Rare Oversized Early Fairground Papier Mâché Clown’s Head

Archive II An oversized vintage papier mache clown head with painted facial features, a pointed hat, and a red ruff collar mounted on a wall. View II
Archive III An oversized vintage papier mache clown head with painted facial features, a pointed hat, and a red ruff collar mounted on a wall. View III
Archive IV An oversized vintage papier mache clown head with painted facial features, a pointed hat, and a red ruff collar mounted on a wall. View IV
Archive V An oversized vintage papier mache clown head with painted facial features, a pointed hat, and a red ruff collar mounted on a wall. View V
Archive VI An oversized vintage papier mache clown head with painted facial features, a pointed hat, and a red ruff collar mounted on a wall. View VI
Archive VII An oversized vintage papier mache clown head with painted facial features, a pointed hat, and a red ruff collar mounted on a wall. View VII
Archive VIII An oversized vintage papier mache clown head with painted facial features, a pointed hat, and a red ruff collar mounted on a wall. View VIII
Archive IX An oversized vintage papier mache clown head with painted facial features, a pointed hat, and a red ruff collar mounted on a wall. View IX
Archive X An oversized vintage papier mache clown head with painted facial features, a pointed hat, and a red ruff collar mounted on a wall. View X
Enlarged Archival View
Branching Out Antiques

Branching Out Antiques
Telephone 07742 117815
Location
Kent
United Kingdom

By appointment only.
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/branchingout
Verified Since Apr 2022
Items For Sale 81
Items Sold 392
Branching Out Antiques
Branching Out Antiques
Verified Since Apr 2022
View Dealer Info
Location: Kent, United Kingdom, , By appointment only.
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/branchingout
Verified
Apr 2022
For Sale
81
Sold
392
An oversized vintage papier mache clown head with painted facial features, a pointed hat, and a red ruff collar mounted on a wall.
A RARE OVERSIZED EARLY FAIRGROUND PAPIER MÂCHÉ CLOWN’S HEAD
Ref: SA1024634
An oversized vintage papier mache clown head with painted facial features, a pointed hat, and a red ruff collar mounted on a wall.
Detail View 1
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectWall Display
  • Period1920 - 1940
  • StyleVintage Carnival
  • MaterialPapier Mache, Paint
  • ColourMulticoloured
  • MotifsHand-painted facial features, Pointed hat, Ruff collar, Moulded relief

FAQs

Fairground papier mache figures were traditionally produced in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to decorate amusement park rides, shooting galleries, and carnival attractions, serving as eye-catching advertisements to draw crowds.

These decorative items were typically crafted using layers of paper pulp mixed with glue or resin pressed into moulds, then reinforced with wire frames and finished with hand-painted lead-based or oil paints.

Authenticity is generally determined by inspecting the layering of the paper pulp, the craquelure and patina of the aged paintwork, and signs of structural wear consistent with outdoor carnival use over decades.

Displaying large-scale sculptural pieces as standalone wall art against neutral backgrounds allows the rich texture and historical character to become a focal point within a maximalist or eclectic room scheme.

Preservation requires keeping the items away from direct sunlight and high humidity to prevent paint fading and material degradation, dusting gently with a soft dry brush without using liquid cleaners.
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