The Long And Interesting History Of Venetian Masquerade Masks

Venetian masquerade masks have a long history, and that history can make for a very interesting read even if one isn't particularly interested in a mask per se. The Italian city of Venice, or "Venezia" in Italian, originated the idea of the mask centuries ago, and it was used in a number of events taking place during the annual Carnivale season, such as "masques." In generally most such face-hiding implements are used to obscure a wearer's features, most times for benign purposes but also sometimes for naughty reasons.

There's really very little information that's actually known about just why face coverings came into vogue for masquerade balls or masques. It's theorized that the rigid class society in Venice centuries ago devised a way for the classes to freely intermingle with each other via use of a mask when at Carnivale. By wearing face-hiding devices, the lower classes could dance and mingle with the upper classes and vice-versa without fear of social approbation.

The first documented use in Venice of a face or identity blocking piece of cloth or specialized mask for such Carnivale-type celebrations seems to have taken place in the 13th century. There are a number of references in the laws of Venice in that century that made note of what "masked persons" could and could not do, such as enter a nunnery or convent while masked. Since then, of course, the stylized conventions for mask wearing in Venice have been gradually codified to provide more clarity for wearers.

In the Venice of the late-1700s, to use an example of how mask wearing was codified, the wearing of masquerade-type face coverings became restricted to the three months when Carnivale took place throughout the city (from December 26th). It was also in the 17th century that many of the most popular mask designs began to attract other decorative acoutrements, including colored matching beads. It would seem that Venice has been almost solely responsible for just about every evolution in the mask, in fact.

When it comes to such face-obscuring coverings and their wear, a number of different types have evolved, with all of them originating in Venice. A common covering seen at many a masque or ball in Venice is the Bauta, which was also seen in the movie "V." Normally, a true Bauta has no mouth and a very square jaw. Males in Venice will often pair up the Bauta with the Tabarro, a black cape.

The most bizarre, yet also instantly recognizable as a product of Venice, face mask -- which is often seen at stylized masque events -- is the "Medico Della Peste," or "The Plague Doctor." The Della Peste has a long beak and it originated in the 17th century when a doctor involved in treating plague victims adopted the mask, which quickly became popular among other plague-treating physicians. The Plague Doctor mask nowadays is often very highly decorated for certain events.

A common sight all over the world, especially at masques and other balls, Venetian masquerade masks show no signs of losing their popularity. Much of the best mask-type wear can be had for very low prices though some can cost quite a lot money. The history of the mask of Venezia goes back hundreds of years and its history is likely to be added to over the hundreds of years ahead. Indeed, it would seem that masques centuries from now will feature these unique face-obscuring devices.