Venetian Handmade Masks
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Folk Art Masks
Metal, Metallic Thread
Recent Sales
20th Century Italian Folk Art Masks
Paint, Paper, Ribbon
Vintage 1980s Italian Masks
Vintage 1980s Italian Masks
Vintage 1980s Italian Masks
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Folk Art Masks
Gold, Metallic Thread
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Folk Art Masks
Paint, Paper, Feathers
Vintage 1980s Italian Masks
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Folk Art Masks
Gold
Early 2000s Italian Baroque Masks
Feathers, Fabric, Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Baroque Masks
Metallic Thread, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Folk Art Masks
Metal, Metallic Thread
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall-mounted Sculptures
Ceramic
People Also Browsed
2010s Organic Modern Natural Specimens
Coral
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile
2010s Italian Hollywood Regency Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Brass
1990s Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery
Antique 1890s French Rococo Revival Dinner Plates
Ceramic, Faience
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Decorative Baskets
Jute
2010s Italian Vases
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary Books
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Natural Specimens
Shell
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Swivel Chairs
Linen
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Metal
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Mohair, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Brass
2010s Italian Jewelry Boxes
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Industrial Wall Lights and Sconces
Steel
Venetian Handmade Masks For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Venetian Handmade Masks?
Finding the Right Masks for You
Today, art enthusiasts and venturesome interior designers find a lot to love and appreciate about antique and vintage masks, particularly as they have earned a distinct place amid a collection of folk art and other collectibles and curiosities in contemporary homes.
Folk art refers to art that people, not classically trained, created for either utilitarian or decorative purposes. With respect to visual art in folk art, it is typically reflective of a community’s culture and usually handmade by craftspeople working within a popular tradition. Masks, as part of this history, have been used in carnivals, theater, medicine, therapy, religion and more. The use of masks in rituals and sacred ceremonies goes back thousands of years, and masks in general are believed to be much older. And all kinds of other uses have been found for masks and face coverings over time. We have enlisted these accessories for protection, to signal modesty, facilitate flirtation, enable licentiousness or simply to look cool.
Archaeologists found a mask in Palestine that is believed to be 9,000 years old, a Neolithic-era stone mask that may have been part of rituals associated with the worship of ancestors. Some tribal masks are worn as an offering to the gods. Masks are among the most important African art forms, for example, and traditional African masks can be used to lend a concrete form to an invisible spirit. Dancers donning wooden tribal masks celebrate important events to honor their deceased ancestors. These masks are also very important devices for storytelling and sharing the oral history of a community.
For Asian artists, specific colors are used in masks to convey different values and ideas. In Japan, a red Oni mask worn by performers during a festival might signify anger, while in China’s Peking Opera, a mask that has been hand-painted gold would be worn by an immortal.
Mexican craftspeople make masks for traditional celebrations and ceremonial dances. Mexican masks are part of the country’s folk-art traditions that go back thousands of years and play a role in festivals and theater. A common symbol of the Mexican holiday Day of the Dead is a skull, which is widely represented in masks (although the innumerable activities associated with the holiday are by no means universal).
We’re inviting you to explore and pay respect to the long folk-art traditions that underpin mask-making by introducing antique and vintage masks to your space. Find an exciting collection on 1stDibs today.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The purpose of Venetian masks was originally related to the observance of the Carnival festival in Venice. People wore masks to disguise their identities during the fun. Today, people tend to use the masks as decorations. Find a range of Venetian masks on 1stDibs.
- What are Venetian masks called?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Venetian masks are an essential part of the Venetian Carnival, a celebration that dates back to the 1300s. Venetian masks generally fall under two categories: carnival masks and commedia dell’arte (comedy of artists). Commedia dell’arte masks were usually worn by troupe performers and helped identify the type of character the actor portrayed. Carnival masks were typically worn by everyone else and obscured the wearer’s identity. Find a range of Venetian masks on 1stDibs.
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