Commedia
dell'Arte Masks
Commedia dell'Arte masks are based on traditional characters like
Harlequin. With its origins in Renaissance Italy (early
16th Century) the Commedia dell'Arte was one of the earliest forms
of theatre as we know it today, starting with street performers
donning masks to draw attention to themselves
Fantasy Masks
Fantasy masks are creations of the mask makers imagination, although
they may be inspired by historical designs and are often elaborately
decorated with fabrics and feathers.
Traditional Venetian Masks
Traditional Venetian masks such as the white Volto half-mask
with its nose cover and its variant, the Plague Doctor's
mask with its phallic beak. According to tradition, the beak was
intended to protect the wearer from being infected by the plague.
Masks today are bought both for wearing at the now increasingly
popular Masked Balls and parties and also as pieces of artwork.
Many people build up collections of masks in the same way they would
collect pictures to create stunning wall displays.
All our masks are hand-made in Venice by mask makers using traditional
methods.
|