A Venetian Affair!

Well one could almost think so having been there 3 times now.

But it wasn't until I had read "A True Tale of Forbidden Love in the C18th" by Andrea di Ribilant that I was intrigued and interested to read about 'The Mask'... the symbol of those carefree days.
Robilant described how the mask had been an integral part of Venetian attire like wigs, fans and beauty spots.
Venetians were allowed to wear masks in public from October to Lent...with the exception of the "Novena" the 9 day period before Christmas.
And everyone wore one from the Doge down to the woman selling vegetables at the market.

  So the custom added a little mystery and intrigue to everyday life. However when one reads about the almost endless carnivals, extravagant balls and theatres bursting with spectators and/or Venetians in the grip of a massive gambling addiction...who was piling up sequins and who was accumulating debt...large exquisitley embroidered fans (strings of diamonds and pearls) gossip hidden and camouflaged had been whispered behind cupped hands

among the Venetian Ladies...And so the use of masks can be understood.
Females...tall behives for their hair...drenched in perfume, hairspray and nail polish of all colours, flirted beauty spots in all aspects of makeup...appasionata (in the corner of the eye)...coquette (above the lip)...galante (on the chin)and assassina (the killer in the corner of the mouth).

It is written in the book that high heels had long been out of fashion (Venetian ladies preferred more sensible low evening shoes, often decorated with a diamond buckle) as these although expensive were much more suitable for dancing.
So 2 kinds of masks were usually seen:the more casual black or white 'Moreta' that covered only the eyes or the cloaked masks or 'Bautta' which hid the entire head down to the shoulders.
However as the shop window shows...all kinds are available now.