Venice Images: Other Traditional Masks & a Brief Summary
This post is especially for karisu_sama. :-)
The following is a very very brief and summarized of mask types.
Most of the images I've been posting have been of the "volto" masks. A majority of the maschera models tend to favor this type of mask, which completely hides their face, which isn't the completelky historically accurate Venetian mask (except for the moretta, which was an all black velvet mask made for women held in place by their teeth, which was supposed to add to their mysterious air. You were supposed to charm a man without necessarily "talking" -- think Little Mermaid.)
In terms of other masks, there are the different traditional types: "bauta", the Venetial "plague doctor" (or anything with a very long ibis-like nose), and the half-mask, etc. The bauta you see quite a bit, the beaked mask a little less so, and the moretta is extremely rare.
Visitors and tourists will often wear the half-mask variety more frequently than the other types, whether or not they are in costume, as these tend to be cheaper than other masks and you can get them from any street vendor (being mass produced in China.)
The initial purpose of the mask was to completely conceal the identity of the wearer so that they could enjoy in the festivities of Carnivale and let commoner intermingle with the elite, so almost-full face mask coverings were popular.
As time went on, people wore masks throughout the year, you were forgiven anything (much like if you're drunk in Japan, no one faults you...). However, after a time, the Venetian government outlawed them during certain times of the year (religious holidays) and from wearing them in certain buildings (i.e. churches).
Bauta Mask
The traditional bauta mask allows you to eat and drink without removing it as it jets out from the face by several inches. It's also known as a "spoon mask"
Two Plague Doctor Masks & a Volto
The plague doctor masks were said to protect one from infection from the plague. These don't have the traditional "glasses" around the eyes. (This one is more of a "snapshot photo" to show the other mask types.)
©Copyright 2008 Jade Falcon & WyldFire Studios. All Rights Reserved. If you should so take these images without written permission, may the copyright gods curse you including, but not limited to, having your hair fall out, suffer from incontinence, and be riddled with sexual impotence. Have a nice day.
The following is a very very brief and summarized of mask types.
Most of the images I've been posting have been of the "volto" masks. A majority of the maschera models tend to favor this type of mask, which completely hides their face, which isn't the completelky historically accurate Venetian mask (except for the moretta, which was an all black velvet mask made for women held in place by their teeth, which was supposed to add to their mysterious air. You were supposed to charm a man without necessarily "talking" -- think Little Mermaid.)
In terms of other masks, there are the different traditional types: "bauta", the Venetial "plague doctor" (or anything with a very long ibis-like nose), and the half-mask, etc. The bauta you see quite a bit, the beaked mask a little less so, and the moretta is extremely rare.
Visitors and tourists will often wear the half-mask variety more frequently than the other types, whether or not they are in costume, as these tend to be cheaper than other masks and you can get them from any street vendor (being mass produced in China.)
The initial purpose of the mask was to completely conceal the identity of the wearer so that they could enjoy in the festivities of Carnivale and let commoner intermingle with the elite, so almost-full face mask coverings were popular.
As time went on, people wore masks throughout the year, you were forgiven anything (much like if you're drunk in Japan, no one faults you...). However, after a time, the Venetian government outlawed them during certain times of the year (religious holidays) and from wearing them in certain buildings (i.e. churches).
Bauta Mask
The traditional bauta mask allows you to eat and drink without removing it as it jets out from the face by several inches. It's also known as a "spoon mask"
Two Plague Doctor Masks & a Volto
The plague doctor masks were said to protect one from infection from the plague. These don't have the traditional "glasses" around the eyes. (This one is more of a "snapshot photo" to show the other mask types.)
©Copyright 2008 Jade Falcon & WyldFire Studios. All Rights Reserved. If you should so take these images without written permission, may the copyright gods curse you including, but not limited to, having your hair fall out, suffer from incontinence, and be riddled with sexual impotence. Have a nice day.