Ethnic masks in interior decor. A mask - a souvenir from travel can be dangerous How to fit Venetian masks into the interior

While creating classic interiors The final fashionable touch will be Venetian masks on the wall. The tradition of using masks as wall decor came from the century before last from Italy.

Today, if you don’t see a Venetian mask on the wall in every home, you can certainly see it in the apartment of those owners who appreciate the beauty and elegance of their surroundings.

Initially, Venetian masks were widely used in Venice at the annual carnival. It is unknown when this tradition began, but street parties All residents of Venice participated: both ordinary poor people and people of high classes.
Masks helped the latter to remain incognito on the streets and blend in with the crowd, have fun and walk along with commoners, remaining unrecognized. In this way, many destinies were formed, many marriages were created among the Venetians of that time.
In 15th-century Italy there was even a special profession - mask maker. By the way, the masks themselves were not divided by class or price: they all looked and cost almost the same.

Venetian masks can be divided into two main categories: classical and comedic. This natural division allows us to choose to decorate our home suitable models masks.

The most famous Venetian masks were the faces of the heroes of the street comedy Del Arte: Colombina, Harlequin, Pierrot. And the most recognizable - Zanni - a half-mask, devoid of expensive jewelry with a long, downward curved nose, reminiscent of the beak of a strange bird.

Classic Venetian masks: Cat, Volto, Venetian lady. The most popular of them is Volto, which is also the most neutral, simply copying the main features human face and remaining faceless at the same time.

The popularity of Venetian carnival decorations grew and they began to be used not only on carnival night, but also to decorate homes with them. So the masks “migrated” to the wall, and became widespread worldwide as an exquisite decorative element.

Venetian wall masks are currently made from various materials: metal, plastic, pressed cardboard, tin and lead alloys, bronze and even porcelain. The choice here depends largely on financial opportunities buyer.

DIY Venetian masks

The most used as decoration various materials: silk, fur, veil, colored feathers, gems, pearls, glass, crystal and gold.

Depending on the popularity of the manufacturer, the materials used and decoration technologies, the prices for these products will also be different. But you can also make a mask by hand if you are confident that you can handle the job.

Venetian wall masks, handmade using papier-mâché technology, are considered popular. Perhaps each of us has encountered more than once similar technology manual work, starting almost from kindergarten.

The manufacturing principle is as follows: on the base of the future mask, soaked paper and a bandage soaked in glue are applied in layers. The base, in turn, we make, say, from clay for creativity, alabaster and the like sustainable materials.

Enough interesting crafts for home decoration you can get using this technique.

There can be several dozen layers, depending on the complexity of the configuration of the future product and the desired thickness. After the mask is formed, it is separated from the base and dries naturally.
It is necessary to give the mask enough time to dry, otherwise, as a result of further finishing, it may become deformed and lose its shape, and this is not very nice.
Then the resulting “semi-finished product” is coated with paints or enamel and decorated with improvised means. First, it is better to prime the mask with light paint. On a light base, further decorations are better visible, and the decor itself is not lost.

The final stage of finishing is coating the finished mask with varnish. You can use glitter to add brightness to the product. If this is your first time making a mask using papier-mâché technology, it is better to avoid using overly complex patterns for decoration.

The mask is ready. Price Supplies is small compared to a similar purchase, but its value is incomparably higher.

If you don’t want to make a Venetian mask with your own hands, you can purchase it in souvenir stores or specialized decor stores.

Based on materials from the site http://elite-bronze.ru

If it is acceptable to use the word “fashion” when talking about masks, we can safely say: masks have it. The image, once awe-inspiring, has now become a decorative element.

Furious primitivism

Red Cover/
Ken HaydenMysticism and unusual plastic African masks attracted the attention of Europeans at the beginning of the twentieth century. Works of traditional art were then appreciated for their complex decor and unusual shape. Today in African countries, especially popular masks are replicated many times, and they become simply ethnic souvenirs. Their manufacturers deliberately emphasize and exaggerate certain features that attract Europeans. These crafts resemble creative copies of original masks that originally depicted the faces of deities and heroes. Some of these wooden products cost less than 1,500 rubles, but real masks are much more expensive.

Photo 1 Photo by V. Kochetkov	Photo 2 Photo by V. Kochetkov	Photo 3 Photo by V. Kochetkov
Photo 4 Photo by V. Kochetkov	Photo 5 Photo by E. Savina	Photo 6 Photo by V. Kochetkov
Photo 7 Architect V. Sysoev Photo by E. Luchin	Photo 8 Designer A. Erman Photo by V. Karchin	Photo 9 "Alpha Ceramics"

1. A heavy mask made of polished ebony is more secure to place.
2. The colorful face of the mask is very expressive. The geometric pattern symbolizes the duality of the world, the opposition of good and evil, ignorance and knowledge.
3. The ornament on painted African masks is always symbolic.
4. Due to the absence of minor details, the mask looks very laconic.
5. A mask tinted to look like ebony can be distinguished from a product made from real ebony by its weight. Price - 2 thousand rubles. ("White clouds").
6. The shape of an elongated oval, a wide nose in the form of a rectangle and a special position of the mouth (according to our concepts, at the tip of the chin) are signs of an African mask. The characteristic cutting of the planes of the front part is associated with the specifics of wood processing.
7. A skillfully crafted mask comes to life in a specific environment. Additional effects in the form of lighting enhance the impression it makes.
8. A mask in a gilded frame is one of the ways it exists in a modern living room.
9. A mask on a stand fits into any interior if there is some space around it. free space.

In the whirlwind of the carnival

Among the Venetian masks, one must distinguish between antiques and modern art products and souvenirs. All this can be put to good use. Handmade pieces are figurative, they are characterized by the author's understanding of the era. There is an established industry for producing masks that are available to everyone. There are also those who make them to order: the prices for such masterpieces are no less amazing than their appearance. Decorative masks for the interior are made from ceramics and porcelain, leather and papier-mâché (the most available material). Feathers, beads, tiny bells, brocade and silk are used for decoration. The surface is painted with acrylic paints and trimmed with gold and silver foil. Masks are often coated with a layer of special enamel to make them resemble antique ones.

Photo 10 Red Cover/Chris Tubbs	Photo 11 La Fucina dei Miracoli	Photo 12 Photo by V. Kochetkov	Photo 13 Photo by E. Morgunova
Photo 14 Photo by V. Kochetkov	Photo 15 Photo by V. Kochetkov	Photo 16 Photo by V. Kochetkov	Photo 17 Photo by V. Kochetkov
Photo 18 Author A. Timofeev	Photo 19 Author A. Timofeev	Photo 20 La Fucina dei Miracoli	Photo 21 Photo by E. Luchin

10. The function of the mask as an intermediary between people is becoming a thing of the past. Often it is nothing more than a decorative thing among ordinary objects.
11. Carnival half mask Farfalla (“Butterfly”). Handmade. Papier-mâché, hand-painted, Swarovski crystals, decor - a butterfly made of openwork brass with a cabochon and sparkles. Price - 2900 rub. ("Accents").
12. An unusual Harlequin mask from the Italian commedia dell'arte (a special type of street theatrical performance).
13. Decorative and carnival mask "Cat from the Forge of Miracles". It can be hung on the wall using the ring on the back, and can also be worn (there are ties for this). Papier-mâché, hand-painted gold, openwork metal, Swarovski rhinestones. Price - 5600 rub. ("Accents").
14. Grotesque Plague Doctor mask with a clownish nose shape. In Venice, during the plague epidemic, doctors, when visiting the sick, wore masks with a long bird's beak and, to avoid infection, dripped aromatic oils into it.
15. An unusually exquisite mask is decorated with gold and silver dust (the sparkles remain on the face and clothes as a memory of a fairy tale).
16. Theater masks can be safely used as decorative fragments, despite the assertion of experts that a mask without an intended wearer is nonsense.
17. A rare case: the eyes of the mask are simulated. The eyes are the only thing that “lives” in her.
18-19. Venetian style masks. Papier mache, acrylic paints, decorative braid, rhinestones. Price - 1250 rub.
20. Carnival mask "Butterfly macrame". La Fucina dei Miracoli. Papier-mâché, lace, decor - cabochons and rhinestones. Price - 3200 rub. ("Accents").
21. The mask in the interior, unlike the carnival tradition, lives on independent life. Unique decor requires “air” - do not overload this place with things of a different style.

Under reliable protection

The outwardly aggressive appearance of the redesigned mask should not be intimidating. According to ancient beliefs, frightening masks drive away evil spirits, troubles and various troubles from a person’s home. In ancient times, most figurines and masks were created with good intentions: they expressed wishes for good luck, a rich harvest and rain, good health, good hunting and the birth of offspring.

In the interior, it is better to place masks compactly, dedicating one of the walls of the room for them. They look good in walk-through areas, such as hallways. Large masks should not be hung too low (this will make them visually heavier), but not too high (not near the ceiling). It’s hardly worth hanging masks on sunny side- then they will lose their inherent mystery.

Photo 22 Photo by E. Savina	Photo 23 Author A. Timofeev	Photo 24 Photo by S. Morgunov
Photo 25 Red Cover/Chris Tubbs	Photo 26 Photo by M. Uritskaya	Photo 27 Red Cover/Chris Tubbs
Photo 28 Photo by V. Kochetkov	Photo 29 Photo by E. Savina	Photo 30 Photo by E. Savina

22. The popular theatrical performance of the inhabitants of the island of Bali is based on legends about the creation of the universe and man, about ancient ancestors and heroes. The semi-fantastic stylized image reflects the mythological perception of reality. Mask (Indonesia). Wood, carving, painting. Price - from 1 thousand rubles. ("White clouds").
23. The Indian style mask is carefully painted and decorated with tufts of dry grass. Papier-mâché, acrylic paints, straws. Author - Andrey Timofeev. Price - 2 thousand rubles.
24. Ancient cultures had a belief in the existence parallel world spirits - powerful forces that determine human life. The mask was considered their container. In the appearance of the evil creature, elements of the grotesque and parody, exaggerated features are used. Mask (Nepal).
25. Compositions of masks from different ethnic groups, differing in style, look good in eclectic interiors. Make sure there is sufficient distance between them, allowing you to perceive them both as a whole and in all details.
26. The mask as an attribute of convention is an organic part decorative panel. Indonesia. Batik on cotton fabric. Size - 250 100 cm (Zen Art).
27. If the history of the acquisition of images made according to traditional motifs is unknown, it cannot be argued that the mask was actually used for ritual purposes before.
28. The structure and outline of the mask from Central America have much in common with traditional sculptural images of male faces with large noses.
29. The mask is designed to embody a friendly or hostile spirit. The modern hollow form imitates Tibetan circle masks with their traditional conventions and is made with an eye to tradition. Price - from 600 rub. ("White clouds").
30. A souvenir mask with an image of Buddha can be hung on the wall as a decoration.
It is advisable to support it with several similar-sounding objects or, conversely, to leave free space around it. Price - from 1 thousand rubles.

The editors thank the salons “Accents”, “White Clouds”, Zen Art, as well as the staff of the State Museum of Oriental Art for their assistance in preparing the material.

It is unlikely that I will tell you anything new by calling Venice an unusual city. Its difference from other cities is a well-known fact, and it manifests itself in almost everything: from its unique location to souvenirs that are so different from the standard tourist set. You can bring absolutely amazing things as a souvenir of Venice - sparkling Murano glass, delicate lace from Burano, antique stationery and, of course, masks - the symbol of the carnival that made Venice famous throughout the world.

For many centuries, carnival and masks were an integral part of Venetian life, although (oddly enough!) they were not always connected with each other. Both of them date back to pre-Christian times - even the ancient Romans, celebrating the festival of fertility - Saturnalia, used masks. Masks not only hid the faces of those celebrating, but also erased social boundaries, making free and slaves equal during the fun. It is generally accepted that the first Venetian carnival took place in 1094, although other dates are also given. After a couple of centuries, the carnival becomes an annual event taking place before the long period of Lent. By the way, in the first centuries of the carnival, the Venetians did not wear masks or special costumes during the holiday, but simply had fun. But in subsequent centuries, masks became so popular that they were worn even without carnival.

Lovers who did not want to advertise their relationship, and noble townspeople who visited gambling houses and other dubious places hid their faces under masks. Sometimes the real criminals were hidden under the guise. The masks were in great demand, and the artisans who made them were no less famous than the Murano glassblowers or the Burana lacemakers.

Several times the city authorities tried to ban the wearing of masks outside the carnival, but the Venetians persistently violated the law. Masks disappeared from the life of the Venetians around late XVIII centuries, when, having experienced a rapid flourishing, the Venetian carnival ceased to exist. And the famous carnival was revived not so long ago - just over thirty years ago. And it immediately became an event that attracted thousands of tourists to the city on the water. Yes, this has become part of the tourist business, but Carnival Venice in its festive decorations is so good, lively and spontaneous that you can ignore everything else.

While not all city guests can come to the carnival, you can admire the variety of masks at any time of the year. Carnival masks for every taste and budget are sold literally at every turn, but it is better to look for a truly Venetian product in special workshops, where beautiful papier-mâché or leather masks are made in the same way as centuries ago.

There are many types of Venetian masks, and it is absolutely impossible to show them all. But short excursion I'll still allow myself. For a long time, masks of commedia dell'arte, a special street theater that arose in Italy during the Renaissance, were extremely popular. This is Pantalone, and Brighella, and Harlequin, and the Captain, and the Doctor, and Pulcinella in various variations and, of course, the female character - Columbine.

Nowadays, these characteristic masks, simple in design, are not particularly popular with buyers; only collectors are interested in them. The exception is Columbine's half mask. However, look at how bright multi-colored products decorated with beads, rhinestones and lush feathers differ from a simple black half mask.

Another group of Venetian masks are those that arose over the many centuries of the existence of the carnival. The simplest of them is Bauta, which follows the shape of a human face. In combination with a black hat and a long black cloak, it made the ideal costume for a person who wanted to remain unrecognized (Venice is not a very big city!) In such a mask, the voice changed, which added anonymity to its owner. The mask with a black cocked hat is called Bauta Casanova - in honor of the same Casanova who, when going in search of adventure, preferred to wear just such an outfit.

The Venetian Lady is a beautiful mask depicting a beauty from the heyday of Venetian power. Feathers, jewelry, gilding, various hairstyles and exquisite headdresses are her distinctive features. The more magnificent and luxurious - the better! It is not surprising that this mask is also loved by modern carnival participants.

Such a black mask these days is only made on special orders. But Moretta (or the Dumb Maid) was once one of the most popular! The mask is designed in such a way that the woman wearing it cannot speak - the fastening of the mask must be clamped with the teeth. They say that Moretta was especially appreciated by Venetian husbands, tired of women's chatter.

The terrible mask of the Plague Doctor has an equally terrible origin. In the Middle Ages, the plague was one of the most devastating disasters - it sometimes wiped out entire cities and emptied countries. Doctors actually wore such a mask during epidemics, wrapping themselves in long cloak and having a long stick with him so as not to touch the sick with his hands. Fragrant oils were placed in the long hooked nose of the mask and medicinal herbs- to protect against infection and not to feel the stench. Nowadays, this mask is simply extremely popular - for some reason people are attracted to everything terrible!

Volto's mask, also known as Citizen, is also very famous. This type of mask could be worn by representatives of all classes (hence the “democratic” name). Simple in form, it represents ideal field for the creativity of modern masters. After all, you can paint and decorate such a mask in a variety of ways!

One of my favorite masks (I'm sure you already guessed it) is Cat. There is an unlikely legend about a cat, brought from China, who caught all the mice in the palace of the Venetian Doge and became a local celebrity. True, then the cat returned to his homeland anyway - as the greatest value, they paid for expensive Chinese silks. I don’t know what about the Chinese cat specifically, but in Venice there were actually few cats of their own (and there were more than enough mice). And the mask is very cute, isn't it?

No medieval holiday, be it in a royal palace, a noble house or in a city square, was complete without a jester. Therefore, the Jester mask (there are many variations of names) is one of the most famous at the Venetian carnival. Her main attribute is a long cap, to the ends of which are attached bells that ring with every step. This mask was accompanied by a matching costume made from bright multi-colored scraps.

The variety of Venetian masks is truly endless. In addition, contemporary artists (cannot be called otherwise), while maintaining ancient traditions in technology, keep up with the times in topics. These days you can find masks in the form of aliens, goblins, elves, sea monsters and modern movie heroes! There are also products based on famous works paintings or evoking historical and literary characters. There are also unique masks born from the unbridled imagination of artists.

In addition to laconic leather and richly decorated papier-mâché masks (which, by the way, are often artificially “aged”), in Venice you can find items made of ceramics, porcelain and even metal. These are so-called interior masks designed to bring a little Italian flavor into our home. Indeed, having bought a mask in Venice, you can use it not only for its intended purpose, wearing it at a carnival, or as a souvenir reminiscent of the beautiful city, but also “make it work” to decorate your home. By the way, such masks do not have to be brought specifically from Venice; they can be bought in other countries. And many artists (including in Russia) create, although not real “Venetian”, beautiful artistic masks “in the style” that can add a special touch to the design of any interior.

When choosing a mask to decorate your home, you can focus on an existing design, or, on the contrary, you can play up the purchase by making changes to the design. Any mask will do - the main thing is that you like it! Or it suited your character and your outlook on life (a mask can tell a lot about its owner!).

Venetian masks look very good in combination with antique mirrors, exquisite curtains and porcelain, glass or small plastic that matches the style. But also in modern interior, devoid of all sorts of “dust collectors” and “trinkets”, they can become an interesting contrasting note.

In my opinion, wall-mounted Venetian masks are good both on their own and in frames that suit the style.

Paired masks, matched by theme or color, can become bright accent living room, dining room and even kitchen. What do you think of these options?

Fun miniature masks on stands can serve as cute decorations dressing table or chest of drawers. As they say, options are possible!

If you are confused by the idea of hanging masks on the walls (I have often come across the opinion that this is a bad omen), and you like the carnival mood, you can use accessories in the style of “Venetian masks” in the interior. I especially liked the table - I wish I could find one like that!

And for needlewomen (of whom I know there are many here!) I can offer a sketch of an embroidery depicting the Venetian carnival.

In our house, Venetian masks are used to decorate the so-called “art corner” (my husband’s term). I admit, I bought all this without any ideas - simply because I liked it. But now it seems to me that my most favorite albums (and many of them are devoted to Italian painting and architecture) fit well in such an environment.

What do you think of Venetian masks? Would you “let” them into your home?

Svetlana Vetka , especially for Etoya.ru

The Venice Carnival of Masks is the most famous and oldest, the most original and unexpected: here the kingdom of masks and life itself resembles a theatrical stage among the canals. Dancing in the squares, luxurious carnival costumes embroidered with gold and decorated with precious stones.

If you have been invited to an event in the Venetian style, but you have not yet chosen a specific image, turn to one of the images, each of which has a certain character, style of behavior and manner of dressing!

Many carnival masks are variations of the Italian commedia dell'arte masks, special type street theater performance. These include Harlequin, Columbine, Pedrolino, Pulcinella and other characters, each of whom was distinguished by a certain character, style of behavior and manner of dressing.

In the past, Venetians wore masks not only during carnival, but also on weekdays. Venice was and remains a small city and partially isolated from the mainland, so the local residents knew each other well by sight. The possibility of meeting an acquaintance on the street at the most inopportune moment probably greatly hindered the Venetians in their personal and public life. Therefore, they came up with the custom of wearing masks, thanks to which it was possible to hide not only personality and social status, but even gender. Masks were especially useful for lovers, who in this situation found it much easier to hide their adventures from their legal spouses.
Every year, on the eve of spring, a noisy, heady wave of carnivals sweeps across the world. Almost on the same days on the eve of Lent, carnivals take place in France and Switzerland, in Austria and Germany, in the Canary Islands and Italy. Everywhere they have their own unique appearance and color.

In modern Italy, Carnival is celebrated for two weeks. A few days before the official opening of the carnival, romantics from all over Europe come to the city, and crowded processions from orchestras and street theaters begin to walk through the streets: the marchers are fooling around, blowing trumpets and beating drums, shouting songs, setting off firecrackers - in a word, they depict this in every possible way. the very carnival.

In the 18th century the main actors The Venetian carnival becomes the heroes of the Italian commedia dell'arte: hundreds and thousands of Harlequins, Pierrots, Pantalones appear on the streets, and the lovely Columbina becomes the emblem of the carnival. At the same time, a tradition that has survived to this day arose to open the carnival by launching from the bell tower of San Marco a paper dove tied to a thin thread - Columbina, which explodes in flight, showering everyone gathered in the square with a rain of confetti.

When creating classic interiors, the final fashionable touch will be Venetian masks on the wall. The tradition of using masks as wall decor came from the century before last from Italy.

Today, if you don’t see a Venetian mask on the wall in every home, you can certainly see it in the apartment of those owners who appreciate the beauty and elegance of their surroundings.

Initially, Venetian masks were widely used in Venice at the annual carnival. It is unknown when this tradition began, but all residents of Venice took part in the street festivities: both ordinary poor people and people of high classes.
Masks helped the latter to remain incognito on the streets and blend in with the crowd, have fun and walk along with commoners, remaining unrecognized. In this way, many destinies were formed, many marriages were created among the Venetians of that time.
In 15th-century Italy there was even a special profession - mask maker. By the way, the masks themselves were not divided by class or price: they all looked and cost almost the same.

Venetian masks can be divided into two main categories: classical and comedic. This natural division allows us to choose suitable mask models to decorate our home.

The most famous Venetian masks were the faces of the heroes of the street comedy Del Arte: Colombina, Harlequin, Pierrot. And the most recognizable is Zanni - a half mask, devoid of expensive jewelry with a long downward curved nose, reminiscent of the beak of an outlandish bird.

Classic Venetian masks: Cat, Volto, Venetian lady. The most popular of them is Volto, which is also the most neutral, simply copying the basic features of a human face and remaining faceless at the same time.

Venetian wall masks are currently made from various materials: metal, plastic, pressed cardboard, tin and lead alloys, bronze and even porcelain. The choice here depends, for the most part, on the financial capabilities of the buyer.

DIY Venetian masks

A variety of materials are used as decoration: silk, fur, veil, colored feathers, precious stones, pearls, glass, crystal and gold.

Venetian wall masks, handmade using papier-mâché technology, are considered popular. Perhaps each of us has encountered this technology of working with our hands more than once, starting almost from kindergarten.

You can get some pretty interesting results using this technique.

There can be several dozen layers, depending on the complexity of the configuration of the future product and the desired thickness. After the mask is formed, it is separated from the base and dries naturally.
It is necessary to give the mask enough time to dry, otherwise, as a result of further finishing, it may become deformed and lose its shape, and this is not very nice.
Then the resulting “semi-finished product” is coated with paints or enamel and decorated with improvised means. First, it is better to prime the mask with light paint. On a light base, further decorations are better visible, and the decor itself is not lost.

The mask is ready. The cost of consumables is low compared to a similar purchase, but its value is incomparably higher.

If you don’t want to make a Venetian mask with your own hands, you can purchase it in souvenir stores or specialized decor stores.

Based on materials from the site http://elite-bronze.ru