venetian carnival masks

March 4, 2003 9:24 PM

venetian carnival masks
posted by crunchland (12 comments total)

When i went to venice I brought back a number of masks from the shop which provided the masks for "Eyes Wide Shut" (which I believe is Carta Alta, the one you linked to). They are incredibly beautiful, and, considering the craft that goes into handpainting them, well priced.


It was also possible to buy "blank" masks, and paint them yourselves.

I've never actually worn them for more than a moment, as they're quite fragile, and i'm afraid that most of the opportunties that demand a costume also demand me to be quite drunk -- falling down drunk, and thus in a poor state to preserve a thin paper mask.

Apparently, carnivale is quite the occasion in Venice -- with rich playboys and debutantes coming to town with whole entourages of make up artists and clothiers, just to hit the various parties.

Venice is kinda a magical fairytown place anyhow, with twisty tiny alleyways (when i was on my own for the first time i got hopelessly lost in under five minutes -- and that was with a map) -- i can't imagine how wonderful it must be with folks wearing masks running about.

thanks for the link.
posted by fishfucker at 9:39 PM on March 4, 2003

fishfucker,

Theres a store right here in san francisco, Mask Italia, which imports these masks. I just recently bought one (to wear at the recent ACT masked ball) They are gorgeous and its wonderful to go in there just to look around - though they are not cheap.
posted by vacapinta at 9:48 PM on March 4, 2003

Wow fantastic link. Those are some really amazing masks.
posted by riffola at 9:58 PM on March 4, 2003

Wow again. These are amazing. I really love this one, in silver and white. Gorgeous.
posted by lazaruslong at 10:15 PM on March 4, 2003

Stunning link! Thanks.
posted by dejah420 at 10:22 PM on March 4, 2003

Also take a look at these and these [not many Venetian masks, but lots of other interesting ones].
posted by Slithy_Tove at 11:01 PM on March 4, 2003

Spectacular! Many of these masks and characters are so true to medieval themes. Thanks for this cool link, crunchland! (...and to all others who posted such neat stuff too.)
posted by madamjujujive at 11:16 PM on March 4, 2003

I'm another sucker for these masks & bought a couple during a visit a few years ago. It's well worth getting lost in the Santa Croce and Dorsoduro districts, as many of the best mask workshops seem to be tucked away there.
posted by misteraitch at 11:52 PM on March 4, 2003

wonderful post!
posted by zerofoks at 12:55 AM on March 5, 2003

Venetian Snares
posted by Satapher at 9:57 AM on March 5, 2003

So beautiful! Thanks, crunch!
posted by Lynsey at 10:07 AM on March 5, 2003

Heh. Male MeFi Member Mugshots?
posted by Opus Dark at 10:29 AM on March 5, 2003