Pretty Sequin Decor Christmas Masquerade Eye Mask

• High quality material makes the venetian mask durable and reliable for long time use

Masquerade Masks History:

• Birthplace of the Masquerade Mask
  The Venetian masquerade mask was an established part of this ancient city of canals by 1436, when the city's mask makers became recognized with their own guild. Originally, the carnival of Venice was a yearly celebration of the capture of an invader of this city of canals named Ulrich II. The beginnings of the tradition of wearing the masks as part of the celebration is not clear, though the Catholic church played a part in the eventual wearing of the mask during the festivities.
• Carnival
  
  
  
  The Carnival festivities included elaborate masquerade balls and grand dinners, entertainment in the grand piazza featuring jugglers, acrobats and traveling exhibits of exotic animals and birds. The masks, gowns and activities reached their height in the eigthteenth century.
• Traditional Methods
  The Venetian mask maker guild used two methods to make the traditional masks for the carnival. The primary method was the use of papier mache, combined with glue to form the shapes of the masks. This method created the traditional mask-on-the-stick disguise, covering the eyes, that was typically worn by women revelers. More elaborate full-face masks used clay to form the desired shape. After the forms for the masks dried, the artisans applied gilded paint or the traditional white face color and added feathers, glass beads and pearls. Bright oranges, reds, blues and greens were popular, while dark colors were used for the more masculine full-face masks. The wearer could design an original mask.
• Masquerade Costume
  By the eighteenth century, the costume completely covered the male wearer. A tricorn hat (a three-cornered hat) was worn over a black hood with the mask affixed to the face, and the men costumed their entire bodies with dark cloaks. The women attired themselves in sumptuous gowns and ornamented wigs, customarily wearing masks that covered only the upper part of the face.
• Masks and Bad Bad Things
  In the eleventh century, the Catholic Church banned the festivities several times, but the influential and wealthy Venetian politicians and clergy convinced the Church to relent with the condition that the participants would wear the masquerade attire only between Christmas and Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. The Venetian Carnival became a hedonistic celebration with an "anything goes" attitude prior to the days of religious abstinence. But from this time on, the wearing of the masks became "more" than a once a year tradition for the powerful in Venetian society. The intrigues of the city politics, signing of important documents and year-round illicit affairs kept the aristocracy wearers of masks unrecognizable to fellow citizens of Venice. Anonymity became the norm rather than the holiday extravaganza of the masquerade of Carnival for the Venetian ruling class.
• The Masquerade Is Alive
  A Modern Venetian Mask WearerIf you are a world traveler or adventure seeker, the Venice Carnival is alive. Napoleon banned the party completely in 1797 and so did Mussolini during the 1930s. It was the 1970s that saw the resurgence of the festival. Participating in Carnival today offers you a variety of activities. The Tourist Board of Venice sponsors the city-wide Carnival party from February 13th through the 23rd with a "touristy" feel, according to critics of the modern celebration. February 23rd provides a newer approach to the tradition with the Festa Indiana--a section of the city where locals want participants to experience the city's traditional customs for the festivities and traditional foods. For the purist, this is the "best" party, according to the founders of the activities.

Masquerade Birthday Party Ideas:

• Masquerade Party Invitations
  Cut out invitation paper in the shape of a decorative mask, and fill in the party details on the back of the invitation so that guests know when to show up for the party, the location, etc. Decorate the mask with small synthetic flowers, glitter and feathers in the colors of the party decorations. Or take a photo of the guest of honor wearing an elaborate Mardi Gras or masquerade ball mask, beads and a feather boa, and use this as the backdrop for the invitations. If you're using square-shaped invitation paper, hot-glue Mardi Gras beads to the edges of the paper, or add a few feathers in bright colors to the corners of the invitation to give it a more festive look.
• Food for the Masquerade Party
  Food that is reminiscent of Mardi Gras in New Orleans is often served at a masquerade-themed party. Present your guests with creole dishes like jamabalya, red beans and rice, or salmon or chicken prepared Cajun-style. King cakes are a popular dessert for a masquerade party--these pastries are similar to a giant cinnamon roll, and are decorated with icing in traditional Mardi Gras colors (purple, yellow and green). However, you can accent the cakes with icing in the colors of the birthday celebration. If the guest of honor would rather have food like pizza or nachos for the party, serve the dishes in plates that are in Mardi Gras colors if this matches the decor, and purchase napkins and cups with images of masquerade masks on them to maintain the party's theme.
• Masquerade Birthday Party Favors
  Even though everyone invited to the party will be wearing a mask for the occasion, purchase plain white masks, feathers, lace, beads and stickers so that guests can create a mask to take home as a party favor. A Mardi Gras goody bag will also make a wonderful masquerade party favor--fill the bag with items like strings of beads or mini king cakes for guests to enjoy even after the celebration is over. Purchase feather boas in the colors you've used for the party, and give one to each guest as he is leaving. Or use the boas, along with other accessories like fedoras, beads and brooches, for the partygoers to wear when you take pictures of them enjoying the celebration. Use a Polaroid or digital camera (with a printer) so the snapshots are available immediately, and frame the photos in small frames that you've decorated with sequins or glitter.

How to Choose a Mask?

• Not matter which style and color mask you want to choose, be sure that it perfect for making a statement with your outfit
• Keep in mind that masquerade masks are meant to be noticed. No matter what type of masquerade mask you choose, it is essential to make sure that the mask fits your face and that the tie actually does hold the mask

• There are different materials of mask in the market. Be sure the mask you choose is sturdy, beautiful and comfortable at the same time
• Since masquerade masks were originally made to represent particular feelings or characters, it is extremely important to do some research and pay special attention when choosing a masquerade mask

Something about Mask:

• The mask is an object worn over or in front of the face to hide the identity of a person and by its own features to establish another being. This essential characteristic of hiding and revealing personalities or moods is common to all masks. As cultural objects they have been used throughout the world in all periods since the Stone Age and have been as varied in appearance as in their use and symbolism
• Masks have been designed in innumerable varieties, from the simplest of crude "false faces" held by a handle to complete head coverings with ingenious movable parts and hidden faces. Mask makers have shown great resourcefulness in selecting and combining available materials. Among the substances utilized are woods, metals, shells, fibers, ivory, clay, horn, stone, feathers, leather, furs, paper, cloth, and corn husks. Surface treatments have ranged from rugged simplicity to intricate carving and from polished woods and mosaics to gaudy adornments. The morphological elements of the mask are with few exceptions derived from natural forms. Masks with human features are classified as anthropomorphic and those with animal characteristics as theriomorphic. Masks usually represent supernatural beings, ancestors, and fanciful or imagined figures, and can also be portraits. The localization of a particular spirit in a specific mask is often a highly significant reason for its existence
• The change in identity of the wearer for that of the mask is vital, for if the spirit represented does not reside in the image of the mask, the ritual petitions, supplications, and offerings made to it would be ineffectual and meaningless. The mask, therefore, most often functions as a means of contact with various spirit powers, thereby protecting against the unknown forces of the universe by prevailing upon their potential beneficence in all matters relative to life

NOTE:

• Before you wear your new character mask, we suggest that you try it on for correct fit
• If mask shows creases, stuff with tissue paper and very gently warm on low heat with a blow dryer. While mask is warm, straighten out any creases or folds. Leave paper in mask until it is completely cool
• If mask is fitting loosely away from eyes, we recommend adding tissue or foam inside of mask to bring eyes as close to eye holes as possible
• After wearing, a damp cloth may be used to clean your mask. Using water only, gently wipe down desired areas inside and out. Mask must be completely dry before storing
• To store cover your mask with a plastic bag and place it inside its box. Avoid displaying/storing your mask in direct sunlight or excessive heat

Package Included:

• 1 x Masquerade Eye Mask