Created in Italy, Masquerade masks were created as a diversion for townspeople during festival season. It was soon apparent to noblemen and women that they could mingle with the commoners during festival season. In old Italy, the law stated that the two classes could not mingle and doing so would be punishable by law.

Festivals were held frequently throughout the year, and when festival time came, both commoners and noble people would create their own costumes and masks each reflecting the personality of its creator. Masquerade masks allowed noblemen and even clergymen to interact with commoners and many took advantage of common women and get political information out of common men. This gave the nobles a great advantage. Less scrupulous clergymen would also take advantage of common women and they would never know the difference.

Noble men and women found that they could walk among common people without fear of recognition or reprisal. They looked forward to gathering information that could be used against their political rivals.

A masquerade mask could be as plain or elaborate as the person designing it wanted, and was usually made of whatever materials were available at the time. Beads, ribbons, and feathers were usually plentiful and vibrant colorful masks could always be expected. Although created in Italy, the idea of masquerade mask quickly spread throughout the world. They became the icon of many different festivals in hundreds of countries. The masks were always creative and worn proudly.

There have been many festivals throughout history that depicted these masks, however the most well known has become Mardis Gras. The elaborate masks are still worn today, and in the tradition of old Italy, even the most recognizable stars and even royalty mingle on the streets of New Orleans without being recognized.

Halloween is a holiday that has a very long history. It original started out as a festival that was held once a year. Although it is now a holiday for children, it’s original state was far different then today; the festival was strictly for adults only.

Masks were hand created out of ceramic, wood and even bone. The colors often brilliant and vibrant. The masks of today generation are mass-produced and generic. They are usually based on very recognizable characters that entertain children all over the world.

Festivals and masks have always gone hand in hand. They are a way of expressing each individual personality. There are some people who still create their own masks, letting their imaginations run wild.

Prices Start at Under $40 for a Beautiful Mask

Venetian masquerade masks are extremely beautiful works of art and come from the Carnival of Venice, Italy or Carnevale di Venezia. The Carnevale was recorded for the first time in documentation in 1092, when it was thought to come from the annual Dogate of Vitale Falier celebration. It is one of the oldest and most unbelieveable festivals in Europe, allowing people to celebrate hedonism in diguise for centuries. St. Mark Square in Venice is the heart of the Carnival festivities, with people roaming the streets singing, dancing and playing games all incognito.

There are five basic types of Venetian masks and all can be made from leather, the original paper mache trick or like modern day masks, with the application of gesso and gold leaf. The type of mask worn the most during Carnevale, was the Bauta. Bauta is a mask with a square jawline, pointed chin, no mouth and covers the entire face for complete anonymity. Bautas were not just for Carnival, people wore them for other affairs as well to keep their identities secret.

The Moretta is a black velvet oval mask that was thought to bring forth the more feminine features. It was held in place by a bit or button that went between the bearer’s teeth and the look was usually finished with a veil. Moretta or Servetta Muta, translates into ‘mute maid servent’. Made from fine wax cloth, the Larva or Volto masquerade mask is almost all white and usually worn with a tricorn(three cornered hat) and cloak to complete the costume.

In the 16th century, a beautiful actress from Commdeia Dell’arte or also known as Extemporal Comedy, inspired the Columbina masquerade mask. Columbina, Columbine or Columbino, as it was called, is a half mask that was held up to the face by a baton or tied with ribbon. It is said that the actress thought herself too pretty to cover her entire face. Columbine masks are most always eccentrically decorated with many things like fur, feathers, jewels, gold, silver and crystals.

Probably one of the most recognizable masks from Venice is the Medico Della Peste or The Plague Doctor. A french physician named Charles de Lorme designed the mask as a precaution when treating patients with the plague. Medico Della Peste is a full faced mask with a long narrow and hollow beak. They are usually all white and have round eye holes that are covered with crystal discs.

Mask-makers or mascherari held very special positions in society with their own laws and even their owns guilds. The Carnevale was outlawed by the fascist government in the 1930s, and it was not recelebrated until 1979, when it was brought back by a young group of theatre and culture followers. Now the visitors to the Carnival of Venice are estimated at more than 500,000. Carnival starts about two weeks before Ash Wednesday and ends on Shrove Tuesday or Fat Tuesday, which is the day before Ash Wednesday. The Gran Ballo della Cavalchina at the Teatro La Fenice or The Feniche Theatre, is in many opinions the grandest and most amazing of all the events at the Carnival of Venice.

Venetian masquerade masks can be made out of a variety of different materials and decorated with as much or as little flare as wanted. They are beautiful, unique and a great way to become the life of the party, while hiding your true face.

That great all inclusive party is called Carnival. It is said to have originated in Venice, Italy around the 11th century. The practice spread to France during the Renaissance in the 16th century. However, the behavior of the masked party participants lead to poor feelings about the event by religious figures and the practice was eventually stopped. Luckily in the 1970’s there was a revival in Venice.

The event was a chance for all of the citizens to be seen equally because they disguised their identity with elaborate paper-mâché masks. Since their identities were unknown it allowed each person to take on a whole new personality, expressing themselves in a way they would never behave normally. In fact men would use this opportunity to steal kisses from women, a practice that would never be acceptable in the general public but the protection of the masks allowed for such behavior (one of the reasons religions decided this party was not respectable).

In America, Carnival has transformed into the great parties held in New Orleans, Louisiana in the days leading up to Lent. Yet those parties are stemmed directly from the European idea of Carnival, thanks to Pierre LeMoyne d’Iberville. Iberville is credited with discovering the Mississippi Gulf Coast in 1699. He brought along the great party Carnival.

Over time there began to certain styles of these masks. One extremely recognizable style would include a long pointed nose, a style often referred to as the Capitano. This half a mask was thought to help ward off some diseases, in particular the Black Plaque. Another popular style is the cat mask, or gatto style, which looks like a cat face. Then there is the jolly masks which is a full face covering with curly extensions around the top and finished off with pearls or bells to add to the Carnival feel. These are only a few of the styles that have become popular over the years. Masquerade masks make great works of art to be displayed or worn to masked balls in order to take on that new persona.