Womens Opera Gloves

Ladies Opera Gloves or Evening Gloves are a formal type of glove which must be above the elbow to authenticate them. They come in three lengths , wrist, elbow, and over elbow i.e Opera Gloves , the materials used to make the glove can be satin , latex, suede and the most expensive materials are kidskin , cowhide and patent leather. When measuring an opera glove the measurements are referred to in "button" . one button is usually longer than one inch , Opera Gloves must be between 16-22 inches to be classed as one , And are often worn with masquerade masks.

The earliest date known for wearing Opera Gloves is in a portrait of Queen Mary during 1690, but they became popular during the Regency/Napoleonic period of the 1800s .There revival in the 1920s where they were worn as day and evening gloves and also as swim wear,  launched the success of the  Opera Glove into the20th and 21st century. It was considered ill bred during the 1920s for the upper classes to go barehanded  especially at public functions .Many actresses also helped the glove revival including Sarah Bernhardt and Lillian Russel, whilst Marlyn Monroe and Rita Hayworth donned their Opera Gloves for the films "Some gentleman like blonde's " and "Gilda". Christiane Dior has also designed Opera Gloves for his runway shows .

To this day opera gloves are used to add sophistication to any wedding , prom or ball, whilst in some country's like Austria it is still compulsory to wear white Opera Gloves to the royal Vienna Opera Ball and in Japan women must wear them to protect their Fair skin which represents beauty , grace and social status.

The most famous type of Opera Glove is the "Mousqetaire" which was derived from the french glove worn by male musketeer's of the 17th century.The Mousqetaire had a wrist opening which could be closed with three pearl buttons and allowed the ladies to slip  just their fingers out whilst dining  .During the Victorian period the gloves were worn so tight that a hook or talcum powder were needed to get them on , and in the 1930s the gloves were made using the same material and color of their underwear so they could wear the gloves in the day and night to protect their hands and keep them soft and unblemished.

to see a great range of opera length gloves just visit www.venetianmasquerademasks.co.uk 

Commedia Del Arte El Capitano

El Capitano  Italian for The Captain is a Commedia Del Arte character who is often foreign . He  originates from around the 1600s and is based on the Spanish occupation of Italy during this time hence El Capitano is often  Spanish in the Commedia Del Arte plays.

The character tends to talk at great length about his military prowess and romantic flings  in his wish to impress everyone but mostly just impresses himself, as he has no idea about woman and would instantly run away if the need to fight arose. Greed is often a word associated with the El Capitano , as in the scenario where he is chosen to protect the female Immoretti but proceeds to set up a bidding war between all her suitors, and is known to often switch sides during conflict depending on who is winning .

the costume of the Commedia Del Arte  El Capitano is a military uniform and tricorn hat  which is worn and patchy to show his lack of money.His mask has a large nose and moustache which is usually turned up at the corners.Glasses are usually worn for his poor vision but the character insists its so his fierce glint wont outshine the sun.Because he is foreign a overly large ruff is worn in the Spanish fashion.His sword is just for show , and if he ever draws it it is always either too heavy to hold or wobbly to use , which emphasises his lack of courage , whilst his stance is straight with one hand on hip and the other placed on sword to show off.his comedy value is greatly shown when he is scared as he screams like a women and then is known to faint .

Because he El Capitano is a show off his titles are usually something like "Mountain Crumbler" and "Mountain Splitter" , But He often ends up with ridicules names like "The saviour Of Drunken Virgins".

To see our great range of Commedia Del Arte Masks visit www.venetianmasquerademasks.co.uk

A full face mask the Bauta or Bautta has a strong stubborn chin line ,  and is always covered in plenty of gilding .The Bauta mask covers the top of the face from forehead to nose including the cheeks but leaves the mouth open to enable the wearer to to eat and converse easily. the design of the mask also changes the timbre of the wearers voice concealing the identity of the wearer even more.

the Bauta mask is one of the most worn by men  during Carnival, but it wasn't always for this occasion. Due to its ability of hiding a persons identity and social status , many wore it to allow them to act more freely and outside the limits of convention for such things as illicit ,criminal,personal and romantic interests.

During the 1700s the Bauta mask became  a regulated mask obligatory by the Venetian government , to be worn during political decision making events and ballots where citizens were required to be anonymous o ensure free and equal votes. Whilst wearing the mask the wearer was required to not carry arms. 

To see our great range of authentic Bauta masks visit www.venetianmasquerademasks.co.uk 

Carnival

The festive season of Carnival occurs immediately before Lent during February  and is by definition a public celebration combining parades with themes such as circus and masquerades in public streets.

Mainly Carnival is celebrated by Roman Catholics , two of the most famous are the Brazilian Carnival of Rio De Janeiro and the Italian masked Carnival of Venice . Carnival traditions  are based on the Lenten period from the Gospel , where people would hold no parties ,celebrations .and fast by not consuming any rich foods such as dairy's,fats ,meats and sugars.This would last for forty days and after that time the whole community would throw a huge Carnival party.Whilst Carnival forms part of the history of the Roman church , some traditions do date back to the ancient Roman festivals called Saturnalia and Bacchanalia and have been Incorporated into the Venetian masked  Carnival.

Perhaps the best known traditions include  carnival parades ,  and  masquerade masked balls which were first recorded in medieval Italy in the Carnival of Venice .these themes quickly spread to Portugal,Spain and France and then on to Germany.

The term Carne vale is Latin for "farewell to meat" which explains the fasting for Lent  Alternatively it could be translated to "farewell to the flesh" which is a motto embraced by many as an encouragement to let go of your everyday self and embrace the carefree nature of the festival.

The first Carnival of Venice was recorded in 1268, although it was restricted by church laws forbidding the wearing of masks , a main feature of the Italian Carnival .Venetian masked  Carnival was stopped altogether after its fall to Austria in 1798 , until its revival in the 20th century .

There are two main Italian Festivals , the first is Carnival of Viareggio .which is characterised by its parades and floats . The carnival of Ivrea has a famous battle of the oranges where people have a food fight in the streets with citrus fruits.

In summary Carnival stretches across the world to every country and religion who adapt it to suite there customs , with the most famous being the Venetian Carnival.

If you would like to see our great range of Venetian masks visit www.venetianmasquerademasks.co.uk 

Morretta Mask

The Morretta Venetian mask originated in medieval France to prevent the woman from talking to nuns or male clergy when going to church. the mask was made with black velvet(hence the name morretta meaning dark) and completed with a black silk veil. to keep the mask attached to your face there was a button where the mouth should be and it was kept clenched between the teeth , meaning no speech could pass your lips.Eventually in the 1700s  the Venetians adopted the mask for their carnivals as it enhanced the woman's feminine features and accentuated the tone of their skin color .It was in Venice that the Morretta mask came to be nicknamed  as Servetta Mura (dumb maid servant).

to see the range of Authentic Venetian Masks visit www.venetianmasquerademasks.co.uk

Casanova Mask

The Casanova mask is the epitome of the famous lover Guacomo Casanova .representing everything Casanova stood for ,wealthy, seductive , humorous and dangerous .

born in 1725  to the actress Zanetta Farussi , Casanova was brought up in the pleasure capitol of Europe , the republic of Venice . with its famed carnival ,gambling houses and courtesans , Venice enticed the wealthy young men of Europe to make it one of  the first  stops of their grand tour .this exciting city would be the pleasure ground of Casanova throughout his life .

He spent much of his youth at boarding school until being placed under the care of the Abbe Gozzi  and his family .it was in this household that Casanova had his first encounter with the opposite sex in the form of the Abbes younger sister .

He was known early on for his quick wit , inquisitiveness  and intense appetite for knowledge which lead him to entering Padua University .But becoming increasingly in debt due to his gambling he left and returned to Venice to become a clerical lawyer and abbe in the called the patriarch of Venice .By this point he was something of a dandy with his powdered and scented wigs and tall dark looks ., which brought him to the attention of the rich venetian senator Alvise Mallipero .Mallipero  taught Casanova the manners of society , the joys of good food and wine and the best circles to move in .The two parted ways after the senator caught Casanova dallying with an actress called Teresa Imer who was the intended object of seduction for Mallipero .during this time Casanova also amused himself with the company of two sisters called Nannetta and Maria . These plus scandals including being thrown into prison and caught writing love letters to a cardinal  ended Casanovas short church career .

Looking for a new way to earn money he joined the venetian army as a military officer , but soon abandoned it after finding the duty's to boring .By now 21 Casanova became a violinist and embraced the the habits of his fellow degraded musicians .after tiring of the music life he went on to try his hand at a career in gambling ,doctoring ,writing and as a state spy.but by 49 his reckless years of living and travelling had taken its toll on his health and looks which had been ruined by small pox scars. the woman became few and the gambling less fun without the funds.

When Count Joseph Von Waldstein requested Casanova to become his librarian in Bohemia , Casanova readily agreed and lived there writing his famous memoirs and conquests  until his death aged 73 .one of his most famous seductions was that of a nun , who during carnival was seduced by Casanova wearing a Venetian carnival mask and sneaking into the convent to find her.

If your looking for your own mask with much history to it why not try www.venetianmasquerademasks.co.uk

Commedia Del Arte Pantalone

The only official  date for the Pantolone  Del  Biscognosi  character meaning (Pantalone of the needy)  in Commedia Del  Arte is in 1550 , but it was known to have been around much earlier than this . he was one of the most important characters in the play being portrayed as a stingy ,decrepit old venetian merchant with an unpleasant personality  and at the top of the social order of the day .

everything about the character is based on money and his ego . from the Pantalone mask  and  his stance which is hunchbacked to impress on the audience his age and money grabbing ways to the way he falls backwards whenever news of financial distaer is relayed to him plus  thinking himself highly intelligent , but usually becoming the butt of tricks and jokes .

most commonly he is the father of one of the two young lovers or else the elderly widower who wishes to marry the young woman, and trys to keep them apart. his most common traits are his attempts at making passes at women only to be rejected every time . his role in the play is pivotal as the bad element keeping the happy lovers apart.

a modern portrayal of this is in the simpsons with the character  Mr Burns , who shows greed , misery, and the stinginess which sums up the pantalone exactly .

if your looking for your Commedia Del  Arte mask then visit www.venetianmasquerademasks.co.uk