What do venetian masks represent

The original function of masks in Venice was both practical and aspirational: a person in a mask could be who they wanted to be, and do what they wanted to do. A poor man could be a nobleman for a day. A woman could act like a man, or vice versa.

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. Eventually the wearing of masks was so ubiquitous that the government had to pass laws restricting it to the Carnival season. This is a simple, white mask with a square jawline that projects out over the mouth.

In the 18th century, it actually became a standardized mask for political decision-making events, to guarantee anonymity when participating in ballots. The volto is a variation on this mask that covers the entire face including the mouth. Medico della peste. The plague ravaged Venice many times, and this beaked mask was used as a sanitary precaution by actual doctors.

The long nose would hold herbs and flowers that would filter the air and cover up the horrible smells of plague victims. This black strapless mask is a perfect oval shape with holes only for the eyes, and was usually worn by women. One of the most fascinating stories in Venetian history is behind the cat mask. It was part of a costume worn by men disguising themselves as women — the original drag queens of the Venetian Republic.

Venetian Bauta — Colored. Safi — Large. Saamira — Large. View all our venetian masks. Your Cart. No product in the cart. They therefore created a city which offered all types of adventure, in every sense of the word! The masks represented absence of rules and freedom of action. You could do anything you liked with the anonymity of a mask and adventure was possible in Venice itself, among the offices of institutions, regardless of the laws and the vetoes of morality, however severe they may be!

So, over time, the Carnival broke the traditional boundaries and masks entered the realm of every day life. In some places, they actually were compulsory by law! For example, in the state casino, you could only play if you were wearing a mask! After the fall of the Venetian Republic, mask making did go into a period of recession, but has enjoyed a renaissance since the 's and today when visiting Venice, there are masks on every street corner and they are purchased by tourists from all around the world.

We have personally visited all our suppliers and seen their artisans at work in their workshops. Click here to see our range of Traditional Masks that are the same ancient designs the artisans have been producing for centuries. For Him. Plain masks. Jester Jolly or Joker. Full Face Volto. Music Theme. Mini Masks. Wall Hangings.