Masquerade Masks & Plague Masks

Masques for the Venetian carnevale festivities

Re "The Masque of the Red Death": The following is a brief summary of the most common masquerade mask types used during the plague years of the Renaissance in Italy.

• Check out the masquerade masks video here.

Masks are an essential feature of il Carnevale di Venezia. Venice's Carnival began in the 11th century, and the wearing of masks and costumes was well established by 1436, when mask makers or mascereri were officially recognized with their own guild.

The practice of wearing masks for disguise reached its peak in the 18th century when Venetians of different social classes used Carnevale as an excuse to mingle among different classes of people without fear of recognition or retribution. The mask was always worn over a black hood with a black tricorn hat, along with a long black cape to give the maximum degree of disguise.

The volto masque

The volto mask completely hides the face. The moretta was a common type of volto -- an all black velvet mask made for women held in place by their teeth, which was supposed to add to their mysterious air. (The woman was supposed to charm the man without necessarily "talking.")

The bauta masque (spoon mask)

The traditional bauta mask allows the masquerader 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" -- never mind a mouth on the mask. Worn all year round by the Venetian upper classes, the Bauta was the most popular of disguises during Carnevale.

The plague doctor masque

The plague doctor masque was said to protect the doctor from various diseases -- like Bubonic Plague -- since its very long nose doesn't exactly let you get too close to anyone's face.

Gallery of masques: