A technical dictionary of printmaking, André Béguin.
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frotton
An instrument used to hand print woodcuts. This instrument is made of horse hair and a strong glue mixed together. "The instrument was given the shape of a bread roll. When it was made it was put in a piece of cloth whose corners were gathered together and the whole thing was hung up to dry. The frotton became extremely hard when dry but this hardness disaapeared after it had been used for a while". (Norge, L'Imagier). The frotton had a long handle meant to be gripped with both hands and pressed on the back of a sheet of paper lying on the inked block.
[baren, wood. printing with the rubber, dabber].
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