Venetian Masquerade Masks - Historic Style

Learn how to look great at a party of masks by purchasing from our stylish collection of venetian masquerade masks.

Venice Italy’s Carnival, iL Carnevale di Venezia., began in the 11th Century, and the wearing of masks and costumes was a common practice by the mid 15^th Century. Medieval and Renaissance Italy was divided among class lines. There is a lot of history on the famous venetian carnival of  handmade costumes and mardi gras ball masks.

The classes did not mingle at social events, and it was taboo for a member of the upper class to engage in a relationship with anyone outside his or her class.  As Italian society moved into the 18^th Century, the practice of wearing disguises as a way for the classes to discretely intermingle, and sometimes engage in intimate relations, during Carnevale was common place.  Disguises ranged from full face, ornate designs to simple one eye coverings. These are pretty popular to use at many of the famous mardi gras party.

The Venetian masquerade masks called a Bauta were worn over a black hood along with a black cape which added an air of mystery to the disguise.  Usually this disguise was worn year round so that the Venetian upper class could mingle with the common people in complete anonymity. 

Members of the upper class elite could engage in frivolity with members of the lower classes without fear of reprisal. The Bauta  was also the most popular disguise worn by everyone during Carnevale. Italian masks of the Renaissance period were characteristically elaborate and often featured brilliant color.  Gold or silver was often used along with complex baroque styling.  Most of the designs were adaptations of Commedia dell’arte.   

The Volto  is a mostly white disguise worn with a black tricorn hat and a black cloak. Volto   is derived from the Latin for “ghost” and so named presumably because it is white. The design allowed the wearer to breathe freely and even eat and drink without removing the disguise.

An oval velvet disguise called the Servetta muta (meaning “mute servant”) was worn mostly by women who went to visit convents.  The disguise was held over the face by the woman biting down on a button and a thin veil covered her head and the mask.  This disguise was thought to emphasize the beauty of female features. 

The highly decorated Columbine disguise is a half mask covered with gold, silver, jewels and often feathers.  It was usually tied around the head with a ribbon.  This disguise was modeled after the popular masks worn by actresses. 

Medico Della Peste (meaning “The Plague Doctor”) is recognized the world over with its long bird-like beak.  The disguise was modeled after the design of the 16^th Century doctor Charles de Lorme who claimed the mask helped to ward off the plague Commedia dell'Arte Masks are based on the popular Harlequin character.  It originated in the early 16^th Century in the theater. 

Today many people collect the ornate disguises and use them to create beautiful displays in their homes and offices.  Many people collect them as pieces of art because of their stunning beauty and intricate detail. 

These are classic masks that will always be popular. The same go for the famous phantom of the opera masks.