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.