The Masks
The mask in the city of Venice has ancient origins and was used for many months of the year. Masks were allowed from the day of Santo Stefano, which marked the start of the Venetian carnival, to midnight of Shrove Tuesday which marked the end. (Naturally, they were forbidden on days of religious festivals).
As well as at this time of year, the Venetians wore masks during the fortnight of the Ascension, and ended up wearing it, with a few exceptions, right up to half-way through June. Later on, it was permitted to wear a mask from the 5th October up to the start of the Christmas novena (16th December).
During all major events, such as official banquets or other celebrations of the Serenissima Republic, the wearing of "mask and cloak" were permitted. The mask had many uses – to protect gamblers from giving away indiscrete looks, (especially to avoid their creditors), or it was used by "barnaboti" noblemen begging on street corners.
Masks and Disguises
During the carnival, Venetians used to dress up in the oddest of ways. A document with the strange title of "Different ways of dressing up for carnival introduced by both men and women alike during the 18th century" lists the different...
Masquerades
Young Venetians used to meet up in groups known as "stocking" groups. The various groups were distinguishable by the multicolored embroidered stockings that their members wore. The groups were given fanciful names (Cortesi, Ortolani,...
The Maskmakers
The mask in Venice wasn't exclusively used during carnival: it had many other uses, which we have described in the introduction.
It is easy to understand how a roaring trade developed over the years.
The maschereri, or mask-makers, from the...
Bauta
The Bauta wasn't only used during the carnival; for the Venetians, it was used on a variety of occasions. The Bauta consists of:
a black veil or cloak
a black tricorn
a white mask
To the mask was attached a large black...
Larva or volto
Mainly white, typically Venetian, this was worn with a tricorn and cloak to make up the Bauta.
It is thought the word larva comes from the Latin meaning mask or ghost. It is easy to imagine the effect of a Venetian all dressed in black with a...
Moretta
This is an oval mask of black velvet that was usually worn by women visiting convents.
It was invented in France and rapidly became popular in Venice as it brought out the beauty of feminine features.
The mask was finished off with a...
Maschera de vesta or Zendà
This was a mask typical of lower-class Venetian women.
The "zendale" was a very short black shawl or a very large handkerchief knotted together and placed on the head.
It was either black or white and was often lined with beautiful lace or...
Maschera in Domino
This was a costume used by the ancient Venetians consisting of a cloak and hat.
The name of the mask comes from an ecclesiastical saying, "Benedicamus Domino" (let us praise the Lord) which was used by monks as a greeting.
It is also thought...
