Venetian Masks - Masquerade masks shop
Venetian masquerade Mask shop > Venetian Masks
Venetian MasksVenetian masks must have been crafted in Venice by Venetian mask makers to be considered a true Venetian mask. There are many mass produced Venetian style masks but the quality of these masquerade masks is far inferior to an authentic Venetian mask and should never be compared. All of our Venetian masks in this range are certified authentic, each Venetian mask is unique having been hand crafted using ancient mask making techniques. Within this category of masks you will find many traditional Venetian masks such as the Bauta mask, the moreto mask, Volto masks, jolly masks , commedia masks and colombina eye masks.
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History of the Venetian mask.Originally Venetian masks worn during the celebration of the Carnival, there design was simple but visually very striking. The masks weren’t the colourful creations that spring to mind when we think about Venetian masks today. The masks were usually black or white and were worn along with a long cloak and tri corn hat to completely conceal the identity of the wearer. This disguise enabled them so cavort and fully participate in the gaiety of the carnival without fear of recognition or consequences. Venetians have been wearing masks since the thirteenth century. Masks were used for both pleasure and business. They gave the mask wearer anonymity and brought about social and moral freedom. unfortunately the down side of this was the eventual moral decline of Venice leading to a series of restrictions being place upon the wearing of the Venetian mask. During the rule of Napoleon the wearing of masks was banned, they drifted into obscurity, confines tn the history books untill they were once more resurrected by a group of artists in the early 1980's. Since then the Venetian mask has continued to grow in popularity, becoming once more and important part of Venetian culture and its economy.
Venetian mask making todayOver the century’s the design of the Venetian masks have remained much the same but the decoration of these masks has become more and more lavish with glitter, gems, flowers and feathers being used with abandon. Today’s Venetian masks are not just made from paper mache or leather, modern techniques use lightweight resins with a plaster slips coating them and delicate filigree metal.
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