Viennese carnival masks
Another part of the world that's famous for it's beautiful, stylised masks is Venice.
Although not as ancient as the African and Aztec masks, the creation of Venetian carnival masks date back to 1162, where a carnival was held in honour of the victory of the 'Serenissima Repubblica' against the Patriarch of Aquileia. Although there's little evidence as to when the first Venetian mask was worn, it's believed that the masks were created as a result of the rigid Italian class hierarchies and the masks aloud rich Italian noblemen and women to mingle with lower class citizens without damaging their reputation.
There are many different types of Viennese carnival masks, such as the columbina mask (which only covered the wearer's eyes, nose and upper cheeks), the volto mask (a stark white, gold gilded decorated mask that covers the whole face) and the medico della pesta, or the 'plague doctor' mask.
Venetian masks are usually made moulded leather, porcelain or even blown glass. The iconic, intricate decals of the masks are hand painted on and are sometimes also decorated with gold leaf, feathers or gem stones.
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