Venetian Mask History. As the custom grew, Venetians wore masks in public for a period of about six months out of every year. Commedia dell' Arte was a type of improvisational theatre that was popular form 16th to 18th century but is played even today. The masks are typically worn during the Carnival (Carnival of Venice), but have been used on many other occasions in the past, usually as a device for hiding the wearer's identity and social status. Masks that are traditionally used during Venetian Carnival can be divided in to two groups: Commedia dell' Arte masks and Carnival masks. Venice Masks The deep bond of Venetian Carnival Mask History with tradition, theater and entertainment. Venetian mask Venetian masks are a centuries-old tradition of Venice, Italy. During the fascism as well, in Venice and Italy the Carnival was still forbidden.So, the venetian masks, along with the carnival masks and masquerade ball masks vanished completely. This may be the basic meaning of the practice of dressing up in Venice. The traditional Venetian masks Tradition and art We treat materials with the old knowledge of mascherai (mask makers) of the Serenissima, ensuring the highest quality materials, but innovating shapes, colors and combinations, always with original results. It is the most significant one in the history of the venetian mask: it was about hiding your own identity during the everyday life in the Repubblica di Venezia.. Patriarch of Aquileia, and became annual event until it was banned by King of Austria in 1797. Below are the Venetian carnival masks that are still used to help celebrate the carnival season today. The document describes the the practice of masked men throwing scented eggs at ladies and its prohibition by the council (Venetian Laws, 1268 May). These are more than just colorful souvenirs — they come with a story. “Dottore Peste” or “Medico della Peste” is a strange looking mask. They were made from leather Since then, the carnival of Venice has turned to be again one of the most important and most beautiful in the world. Pierrot is a full mask, white, with vertical lines bellow and above the Protected by Copyscape. The earliest accounts of Venetian masks are laws stating what Venetians could not do while wearing one. Idea of wearing a mask in Venice was not to hide Authentic and original venetian masks for sale totally handcrafted in the city of Venice, Italy, by the famous masters. The carnival of Venice became more and more important, a real attraction for people from all of Europe. Get In Touch. half-mask decorated with feathers, silver, and gold. Venetian masks have a long history of protecting their wearer's identity during promiscuous or decadent activities. 1350 Manufacturing St, Ste 220 Dallas, TX 75207. Venetian Masks: Veiled in History. As long as you stretch your arm, you can almost touch the opposing house's window. It covers the whole face and has no mouth but it The Venice Carnival began in the 18th century as a series of festivities where people of all social statuses gathered wearing masks and costumes to disguise themselves and enjoy the pleasures of nightlife. The history of the venetian masks and carnival ends in 1797, after more than 500 years of life, with the start of 60 years of austrian domination over the ex Republic of Venice, encompassing the lagoon town, Veneto, Histria and Dalmatia. It started in 1168 as a celebration of victory of Republic of Venice against Ulrico, Patriarch of Aquileia, and became annual event until it was banned by King of Austria in … green with a pointed nose and somber eyes. Though they conceal a wearer’s face, the masks of the Venetian Carnival can reveal an entire spectrum of emotion. In 1436, the masters of the Guild of Decorators in Venice re-organized the mask making industry by proposing a certain number of rules that were ratified by the Giustizieri Vecchi - the magistrates responsible for vigilance of the arts and crafts at the time. Cats were rare in Venice and this is probably one of the reasons The tradition of the mask started in the 13th century when Venetians would hold celebrations and parties from December 26th until the start of Lent and wear elaborate masks to conceal their identity. In 1339, the Republic’s lawmakers specifically outlawed vulgar disguises and visiting convents while wearing a mask. Traveling artists and actors From then on, and over the centuries, the town governments voted additional ordinances to control this habit. It could be an act of defiance against one of the most rigid class History of Venetian masks Most people believed mask production and wearing started in 1162 after the Republic of Venice had a great victory against the patriarch of Aquileia, Ulrico di Treven. So, it's not that odd, maybe, those people wishing to keep the feeling of freedom once they were at home. Another law also forbade wearing disguises Nathan Lane. This carnival mask is a copy of a historical masks that were worn by doctors that treated patients that had plague. Masks have always been a central feature of the Venetian carnival; traditionally people were allowed to wear them between the festival of Santo Stefano (St. Stephen's Day, December 26) at the start of the carnival season and midnight of Shrove Tuesday. Carnival masks have their names too and are more popular. See more ideas about Masks masquerade, Carnival masks, Masquerade. As such, it came with ordinary women’s clothing and a small basket under the arm, usually containing a kitten. 1 History of Venetian Masks Mask-wearing has been a social custom in Venice since the 13th century, when masked men threw eggs at women during Carnival. The penalty for not observing those laws were strong sanctions. mask of a female face, heavily gilded. Please enjoy free shipping within the continental USA. It was again reestablished in 1979 and is again held Eventually the wearing of masks was so ubiquitous that the government … The laws regulating the use of masks. Thousands of Italians and international tourists don intricate masks and costumes, imitating the style of medieval Europe. The carnival masks making became one of the most important business in the Veneto's town. It bans masked men to throw This was the earliest form of special effects in history. The History of Venetian Masks The use of masks during the life of the Venetian Republic remains one of mankind's notably eccentric practices. Carnival of Venice: history and meaning of the different types of Venetian masks Masks have always been an essential component of the Venetian carnival. Any visit to Venice is filled with ornately painted masks. Many boundaries dictated by social status or etiquette were bypassed. © 2021 - History Of Masks | Privacy Policy | Contact. Authentic Venetian masks, hand made home decor and traditional Venetian costumes by Magic of Venezia. The Venetian carnival masks have a different style, meaning, and character. History. The history of the venetian masks, along with the carnival, continues... google_ad_client="pub-4520119733373775";;google_ad_width=336;google_ad_height=280; Castelfranco Veneto, One of the Beautiful Medieval Walled Cities of Veneto,Italy, From History of the Venetian Masks to Venetian Mask, From History of the Venetian Masks to Veneto Explorer home page, Copyright 2010-2013 © Veneto-Explorer.Com They started to engage in different illegal and immoral acts, such as gambling all day long, and with an excessive sexual promiscuity. This peculiar Venetian half mask has a distinctive cat-like look. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Men and women could be flirting more freely, without the fear of moral judgment and have less inhibitions. All venetian masks paintings ship within 48 hours and include a 30-day money-back guarantee. The history of the venetian masks might also be founded on the nature of this maritime town and by the characters of its inhabitants. Oct 12, 2016 - Explore Ali Luminescent's board "Venetian" on Pinterest. It started in 1168 as a celebration of victory of Republic of Venice against Ulrico, The influx of modern day masked balls, (now popular as wedding themes, masked prom balls and charity events), have all stemmed from a Venetian tradition which started as early as the 11 th Century, becoming a regular part of life well into the 15 th Century and peaking in the 18 th Century.. Venetian Masks Since the ancient carnival times, the habit of wearing masks and costumes has given birth to a flourishing trade, with specialized artisans producing more and more extravagant and sophisticated masks. Same document bans masked men from gambling. with a long “beak” in which herbs were placed and had opening for seeing covered with crystals. The mask would permit the wearer to act more freely in cases where he or she wanted to interact with other members of the society outside … They ruled over a big part of the eastern Mediterraneo and they were used to the opennes and freedom of the sea. that are vulgar, visiting convents in those masks, painting faces and wearing false wings and beards. The Bauta mask. Venice was a victim of a plague several times in its “Bauta” is probably the most famous of masks. Basically people wore the masks primarily to hide their social standing than for hiding their own identity, that way allowing citizens of any status, from the average one to the noble man, to be kind of in incognito. would set up a stage and perform juggling acts as well as improvisational plays with rough skeleton of a scenario into which was easy to insert topical annually. So, we may say, the history of the Venetian masks is a way to hide in order to be yourself. 1-214-206-1190. It was worn both by men and women. History Of The Venetian Mask History of the Masqueraded Men In 1436, the masters of the Guild of Decorators in Venice re-organized the mask making industry by proposing a certain number of rules that were ratified by the Giustizieri Vecchi - the magistrates responsible for … This was when the Venetian profession of "maschereri" or "mascareri" (mask makers) was officially recognised with its own statutes. Towards the last decades of the venetian republic, unlike the previous centuries, the disguise was allowed only during the Carnival and parties. Basically, the Venice carnival mask is connected with the Carnival of Venice as one of … These were just a few of the many masks that were used in the comedy plays. Oscar Wilde once said that Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. for choosing that shape for a mask. Site Policies Indeed, masks have been worn in cultures throughout the world for thousands of years, but perhaps never with such fervent pageantry as in Venice. “Brighella” is a half-mask too, often painted Choose your favorite venetian masks paintings from millions of available designs. After the victory people gathered in San Marco Square and with time this festival official. hierarchical structures in all of history of Europe. First document that mentions use of masks in Venice is from 13th century. This continued until the early'80s, when a group of venetian architecture students began to r… The mask was characterized why a long, pointy nose and was a quick witted character. Carnivals in Venice is famous for its masks that everyone wears and are very specific. I am going now to tell you about it. Traditionally people were allowed to wear them between the festival of Santo Stefano (St. Stephen's Day, December 26) and the end of the carnival season at midnight of Shrove Tuesday (movable, but during February or early March). It covers eyes and cheeks. Its name is taken from the Italian phonetic of a cat’s meowing (“gnau”). The wearing of masks in Venice is a tradition which goes back as far as the 12th century, and historians speculate that it was a response to one of the most rigid class structures in all of Europe. Venetian Masks Traditional, Bauta Vene tian mask brought to you by your Venetian masquerade source Visions of Venice Venetian masks are synonymous with historical 13th Century Venice, La Commedia del'Arte play, theatre, the celebrations of Carnival and Mardi Gras, as well as mysterious and elaborate masquerade balls all over the world. With it goes red or black cloak and a tricorn hat. First of all, Venetian masks can be analyzed through the prism of Venice traditions and customs rooted in need of hiding personality and making everyone equal. The first written mention of Venetian masks comes from the 13th century, and the document bans masked men from throwing eggshells of rosewater at women. Made for centuries in Venice , these distinctive masks were formed from paper-mache and wildly decorated with fur, fabric Little is known about the reasons for wearing of the masks during the carnival. eyes and a teardrop. The first documented sources, mentioning the use of masks in Venice can be found as far back as the 13th century. There were requests from other european countries too. History of Venetian Carnival Masks Every year, from February to March, Carnival in Venice is held. It was usually worn by men who want to disguise themselves as women. 1-888-530-0139 Monday - Friday 10:00AM - 6:00PM. All our products are hand made in Venice, Italy and imported for your pleasure by Magic of Venezia. “Arlecchino” is a half-mask with a short, wide nose, arching eyebrows and a bump or a boil on a forehead. As masks were also allowed on Ascension and from October 5 to Christmas, people could spend a large portion of the year in disguise. This shared practice lasted for several centuries, from about the second half of 1200s' until the end of the Veneto Republic in 1797. This continued until the early'80s, when a group of venetian architecture students began to revive this ancient and long tradition. Carnevale of Venice, Italy. Venice was attracting more and more travellers from abroad and with the time its community grew more decadent. Of course, the chance to walk the city’s streets with covered … But there was an exception: in 1776 a new law required women to go to the theatre with a mask on, such as a bauta, and a long cloak called tabarro. This is a very peculiar one, a weird and mysterious character with a mask covering the whole face, with a very big jaw, and no mouth. Another thirteenth-century law prohibited masked people from gambling. The Venetian Carnival Mask History is lost in the labyrinth of time, in a charming story in which the real historical facts are blurred with a mix of tradition and folklore.So, what is carnival mask? has beak-like chin that allows wearer to talk, eat and drink without taking it off. In this section you can find all the traditional carnival masks that can be worn or hang on the wall as decoration. Carnival started as a time for celebration where all social classes would mingle, and Carnevale Di Venezia was first recorded in 1268. These parties were the only time when the lower and upper classes mingled together. The most common types of venetian masks . Venetian masks are of three types: “maschere di Carnevale,” to be worn out and around, “maschere decorative,” made to be used as a decoration at home, and “maschere della Commedia dell’Arte,” strictly associated with its characters (think of Arlecchino, Pulcinella, Venice’s own Pantalone and so on). As is the case with all laws, we can only assume that they existed beca… You often could not even tell women from men! A law of 1268 forbade masked people from playing certain games. Venetian Masks: History, Humours, Types A mask is an artefact normally worn on the face, typically for protection, concealment, performance, or amusement. Any servant could be mistaken for an aristocrat, and vice versa. themes, which made them very popular. For example, they forbad the prostitutes to wear masks, nor could people at gambling disguise themselves any longer.Moreover, it was banned in certain limited periods of the year, but it was still allowed for the majority of the months in a year though! It has an unusual history tied to this mask. eggshells full of rose water from roofs at women on the street. Still to this day everyone knows the Venetian Masks which were a key feature of Venice Carnival a 1000 year old celebration. During the fascism as well, in Venice and Italy the Carnival was still forbidden. Masks have always been an important feature of the Venetian carnival. Masks are made of paper mache and decorated with high quality paints, fabrics and jewels according to the carnival tradition. So, the venetian masks, along with the carnival masks and masquerade ball masks vanished completely. Give him a mask and he'll tell you the truth. Think of this unique town of Veneto: it was a small community, inside a town of narrow roads, both of water and stones. Greed, envy, jealousy, happiness, beauty and love. 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