Masks From Around the World

Masks, or the idea of covering or disguising the human face, may be as old as man himself. The origin of the mask is not clear, but evidence of its presence has been found in the artifacts, literature, and lore of practically every society (primitive as well as civilized or sophisticated) known to us today.

An 18th Century Japanese Mask made of steel, lacquer, and silk braids, representing a long-nosed goblin.

Helmet worn by Suku Males (Congo) Some masks like these are worn high above the head, serving to elevate the person wearing it. Wearers of masks like these usually look out of the mouth or other apertures.

Examples of masks from the South Pacific Art from the Oceanic area was based more on the meaning of forms and images than on beauty. In these masks, colors and patterns are indicative of the spirit and belief in the consciousness of the artist; the decorative aspect is secondary.

Native Americans (Clal-lum) Detail from the painting of a Medicine Mask Dance. There is a great use of feathers for the headdress and for decorative elements of the masks which are all different. The wearers represent spiritual and animal mythological beings.

Iroquois Agricultural Mask A braided corn mask representing an agricultural deity. The materials used dictate the feeling and spirit projected by the mask itself.

Masks for Theatre Both the Greeks and Romans in their dramatic presentations used masks and headgear to denote identity or to elaborate on the characteristics of the personality being portrayed.

Kabuki Theatre of Japan Kabuki is a spectacular artistic presentation: a blending of pantomime, dance, music, and drama. Masks and face coverings were prominent in these presentations.

Masks for Festivals German

Trinidad and Tobago Overwhelming in size and very light in construction, this head covering conveys a mood of cheer and celebration.

Chinese Festival A festival figure of a dragon; a symbol of generosity and good will.

Venetian Masks Jolly The jolly mask portrays a joker and can cover half the face or the whole face. This design is always colorful with curls coming off the top that typically have a bell on the end.

Medico della Peste (The Plague Doctor) The Medico della Peste, with its long beak, is one of the most bizarre and recognizable of the Venetian masks, though it did not start out as carnival mask at all but as a method of preventing the spread of disease.

Columbina

Volto The volto (Italian for face) is the iconic modern Venetian mask: it is often stark white though also frequently gilded and decorated, and is commonly worn with a tricorn and cloak. It is secured in the back with a ribbon. The volto covers the entire face including the whole of the chin and extending back to just before the ears and upwards to the top of the forehead. It depicts simple facial features like the nose and lips. The volto cannot be worn while eating and drinking because the coverage of the chin and cheeks is too complete.

Bauta The bauta is a mask, today often heavily gilded though originally simple stark white, which is designed to comfortably cover the entire face; this traditional grotesque piece of art was characterized by the inclusion of an over-prominent nose, a thick supraorbital ridge, a projecting "chin line", and no mouth. The mask's beak-like chin is designed to enable the wearer to talk, eat, and drink without having to remove it, thereby preserving the wearer's anonymity.