Be the best looking person at a party of
masks by purchasing from our stylish collection of
masquerade ball masks.
Masks have been used by almost every culture through out
time. They have been worn during the performance of rituals,
during performances for entertainment, and to conceal identity.
Many cultures incorporate ritualistic face coverings into
religious or magical ceremonies. Face coverings have
traditionally played an important role in theater. Most of them
dress up in mardi gras masquerade masks to look
different. They pretty much look like costumes that you
would wear on halloween.
The Greeks were masters of using face coverings in
theatrical performances. The face coverings were frequently
exaggerated expressions designed to underscore the story line
and the character’s role. These masks are used in
many events such as prom, the famous masked ball 2009
and the popular renaissance masquerade masquerade parties.
Medieval actors wore face coverings to portray gods or
fantastic creatures in plays. They also woree many decorations
such as sticks and fancy dresses.
The use of masks continues to be an important part of modern
theater. People sometimes cover their faces to conceal their
identity. Protesters, people involved in riots, and vigilante
groups have traditionally concealed their faces to avoid
identification by the police or government authorities.
Occasionally a witness against a criminal defendant will
wear a disguise when testifying in court to protect his or her
identity and avoid revenge by friends or family of the
accused.
The most frequent use of masks today is the use of the
masquerade ball mask. The mask is frequently part of an overall
costume theme. Elaborate masks were often used as part of
marriage ceremonies as well. Disguises were used with
regularity as regular costume at elaborate Renaissance era
dances, especially in Venice, Italy. These dances were rich
affairs attended by the elite members of 16th Century European
society.
The event was staged as a game among the guests who tried to
determine the identity of other guests. Dance partners changed
through out the evening and at the end of the party, the guests
removed their disguises. Disguises ranged from a simple black
covering over the eyes to exquisitely designed face coverings
complete with jewels.
These gatherings later evolved to public festivals complete
with pageants and parades where the participants were disguised
by ornately designed masks. When the Venetian Republic
collapsed in the last years of 1700s the tradition began to
wane and eventually completely ended. Some notable events that
incorporated ornate disguises includes the Burning Men’s Ball
which was a costumed ball to celebrate the marriage of one of
the ladies in waiting to the Queen of France in 1393.
The King and a few friends dressed up as wild men covered in
tar to entertain the guests. They carried torches and when some
of the guests got too close to the torch they caught fire. Such
events have also been the scene of political treachery. Gustav
III of Sweden was assassinated at such an event. The most
notable of these gatherings in the 20th Century was held in
Venice in 1951. It was hosted by Carlos de Beistegui and billed
as the party of the century.
Americans are familiar with the elaborate and often wild
disguises worn during the Fat Tuesday celebrations of Mardi
Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana. The State of Louisiana
prohibits concealing one’s identity in public, but for one day,
Mardi Gras Day, the law is suspended and the people make merry
while disguised.
Of course, banks, credit unions, and other money exchanges
and lenders close for the day in order to avoid a potential
robbery by a masked party goers. Businesses that do remain open
to take advantage of the influx of tourist dollars require
people to remove their disguises before entering the
business.
Other popular masks that you can purchase for special events
are the popular venetian masquerade masks.
You can purchase them online for very low prices to wear to any
special party you have in mind such as prom.
Video
On A Collection Of The Different Varieties Of Masquerade Ball
Masks
