Venetian costume masks have always been part of the history and culture in Venice. As far back as 1500, Venetian Carnival (known as Mardi Gras to the rest of the world) Venetian masks have set the stage in theater and art. Originally, a Venetian mask (sometimes referred to as Italian mask) were handcrafted in local shops by artists, and no two Venetian masks were exactly the same. Today, handcrafted Venetian costume masks can be found, but are also reproduced in cookie-cutter quantity by manufacturers.
Why Wear a Mask
In Venice, people used to wear fancy dresses and costumes during the carnival period and on several occasions throughout the year. Obviously, the main reason to wear a costume mask is to conceal identity and be unrecognizable. Masks were made in many styles and constructed from several materials. Sometimes, women would wear a black velvet mask to enhance the whiteness of their faces.
The Bauta Mask
A bauta mask of worn by both men and women. A married woman was obligated to wear this mask when going to the theater, but marriage-aged women were not allowed to wear the Bauta mask.
These Venetian costume masks were constructed from a black veil, but could also be white, dark blue, or scarlet color. It was called a small cloak because it covered the neck and shoulders. The mask had a black three-cornered hat and a white face with an enlarged jutting upper lip under a protruding nose that could actually change the tone of the wearer's voice. The Bauta mask was a favorite of many because they could eat and drink without removing it, which maintained their anonymity.
The Moreta Mask
The Moreta is an oval mask made of black velvet, and used mainly by women. The mask originated in France to be used by women visiting nuns. The mask became popular in Venice because the black color enhanced female facial features and made the skin more attractive. The mask had veils and small hats with large brims. Men named it the 'dumb' costume mask because it was kept in place by biting on a small support attached to the mask which prohibited the wearer from talking.
The Gnaga Mask
The Gnaga is a plain and non-descriptive mask that was used by males to dress up as women. Often, men would imitate the female voice tones and behaviors, which allowed them to hide their homosexuality by wearing this mask that covered just the eyes and nose.
The Pantalone Mask
The Pantalone is the best known Venetian costume mask and was commonly worn by Venetians at celebrations. Pantalone is an old man who could be a rich merchant or a poor ruined businessman, however, either was portrayed by a man with great knowledge of business. The costume is made from woolen Grecian beret, red jacket, tight-fitting white trousers with a sword tied to the belt. A black, red-lined cloak drapes the shoulders, complimented by black Turkish slippers. Typically, the mask has a hooked nose, marked eyebrows and a pointed short beard, caressed and stroked by the wearer.
Carnival Foods
Venetian Fritola
If you happen to find yourself in Venice during Carnival time, a tasting frenzy awaits you. The fritter (Venetian fritola or Carnival cake) has long been considered the national cake of the Serenissima Republic. This tasty morsel is savored not only in Venice, but as far away as Milan.
Carnival fritters were made exclusively by 'fritter makers.' In 1600, these 'fritter makers' founded an association consisting of 70 members and established an exclusive right that their children would succeed them and carry on the trade in their geographical area. These corporations continued until the fall of the lagoon Republic when the fritter makers disappeared from the venetian Calli at the end of 1800.
History affirms that the fritter makers would knead the fritter dough, made from eggs, flour, sugar, raisins, and pine-seeds, on wooden tables. They would then fry the fritters in oil, pork fat or butter, in huge vessels supported on tripods. Once fried, the fritters were covered with sugar and displayed on decorated plates. Fritters, also known as fritoas, have influenced other cultures, and are stilled prepared today.
Galani
The galani (also known as 'cristoli') is another cake that was popular and are believed to have ancient Roman origin; Romans prepared lasagna with the same dough. But, there is a slight difference, not only in the dough, but in the thickness of the pastry between the crostoli typical of Venetian dry land and the galani. The galani are thin and crumbly, with a form similar to ribbons. The crostoli is thick, less crumbly and thicker pastry.
Whatever the celebration, Venetian costume masks are always a highlight of the event. Wearing masks allow the wearer to be someone they might not be, but wish to be.
Venetian costumes, once only handmade, are now available from quality companies. Find many Venetian mask styles at http://VenetianCostumeMasks.com.
If you're celebrating Halloween with a party this year, chances are that you'll want to have a stunning cake to wow your guests. Here are three Halloween cake ideas to get your creative juices flowing.
Haunted House:
For those who are ambitious in the kitchen, a haunted house makes a perfect Halloween cake. Take one sheet cake and frost with black or brown frosting for the base of the cake. Then, with a second sheet cake, cut up pieces of cake to construct a "house" which is held together on top of the base with frosting (and wooden skewers, if necessary). Then frost the house and add windows, doors, scary pumpkins, and spooky bats. A graveyard beside the house with creepy ghosts and spindly trees is an added bonus.
Kid-Friendly:
For kid-friendly fare, a spider web Halloween cake is great. Cover a plain round two-layer cake in black frosting. Then, pipe on white frosting in the shape of a spider web. In the center of the web, create a large spider, either with frosting or with non-edible decorations like a black pom-pom and pipe cleaners.
Scary:
A scary Halloween cake is perfect for more grown-up gatherings. Body parts are a great idea: a cake in the shape of a severed hand, skull with oozing green filling, or bleeding heart can all be simple to make but have a huge effect on your guests. If you can't find a cake pan in the shape that you want, get creative and look at other cake pans that you might be able to use to achieve the shape you want. If all else fails, just make a sheet cake and cut it into the required shape.
Your next Halloween cake can be as tame or as spooky as you like it. The important thing is to have fun with it and make it a truly unique part of your celebration. When the sugar highs wear off and the costumes have been tucked away into the closet, everyone will remember the effort you put into making your Halloween cake special.
Leefe Poche is the founder of http://www.cakes-you-can-bake.com
Halloween season is all about children. Bring a smile to your child's face with a spooky mask in tandem with his disguise. Halloween crafts are indeed fun to make and the best part is that these can be made using simple and easily found material. For instance, try making paper plate masks this time.
Just a little thoughtfulness, creativity, imagination and craft can help you make all sorts of masks, you can think of with way to easy material. This includes the following:
1. White paper plates
2. Construction paper
3. Paint
4. Crayons
5. Scissors
6. Stapler
7. Glue
8. Markers
9. Tinkers like small pom poms (optional)
10. Elastic or string
Envision your child like any animal such as tiger, rat, cat, bat, etc. Then go ahead with an easy mask.
Given below are the tips to make rabbit and pumpkin masks out of paper plates.
1. Rabbit Mask
Take two white paper plates, a pink construction paper, and a small pink pom pom.
To make its ears, color one paper plate from inside or just glue the pink construction sheet at the inside. Cut it in to two halves. Now take another paper plate to make the face. Cut a ¼ wedge from one side. This is where the child's mouth would come. Further, staple the ears at the top of plate or the mask that is the part opposite to the wedge. Watch that you place the straight edges facing inside. Now, cut two eyes on the face. Place these just below the rabbit ears.
For either paint one, or stick on the small pink pom pom right under the eyes. Finally, decorate the mask with crayons and markers. Make whiskers and color just as per your imagination.
To wear the mask, either staple an apt piece of elastic on both sides of the mask. Or you may choose to punch in holes on either sides and tie a string through them.
2. Pumpkin Mask
Draw a scary pumpkin face on the outer side on the paper plate. Cut the eyes, mouth and nose with the help of the scissors.
Now color the whole think orange with decorations of your choice.
Finally, make it wearable with an elastic staple on either sides of the mask, or punching holes and fastening a string through them.
Try thinking out of the box and let your creative senses go wild. You shall numerous options to work on in this art!
Happy Halloween!
Abhishek is an expert at making Halloween Crafts and he has got some great Halloween Craft Secrets up his sleeve! Download his FREE 93 Pages Ebook, "How To Make Your Own Spooky Halloween Crafts!" from his website http://www.Fun-Galore.com/99/index.htm. Only limited Free Copies available.
