A superb antique riva marchesi paris hat block. Made from french fruitwood, hand carved into a hat form, made for milliners. Makers mark is stamped on the base, riva marchesi paris. C1900 riva marchesi was a hat mold maker located in paris. The company shut its doors in the 1960s. Two italian artisans, originally from florence, who settled in paris before world war i and formed the company. They were the perfect match to make their efforts successful. Riva was a wood carver and marchesi was a sculptor. The talented pair were mold makers to famous haute-couture fashion houses such as dior, givenchy and lanvin. the wear to the block authenticates the piece with charm. This block was used within the hat making industry by master craftsmen to shape and hand make hats. wonderful shape of the soft wood mold and turned stand. Great display item for any hat shop or display. This piece has an attribution mark, i am sure that it is completely authentic and take full responsibility for any authenticity issues arising from misattribution