Ordering Help

Only the best AND excellent value
We have been importing our beautiful masks from a handful of the best workshops in Venice for just over 14 years. They are made by skilled artisans using traditional techniques in sculpture, moulding & papier mache. Each mask is hand painted and decorated using silver & gold metal leaf, braiding, glitter, sheet music, lace, waxed paper, best quality feathers and imitation pearls, stones & crystals.

Some of the less expensive masks are made of quality resin with plaster of paris coating making them more affordable but just as impressive. The masks are fitted with ribbons to tie around the head. Due to the individual artisitic nature of the masks-makers, and the materials available to them at any given time, there may be some slight variation in the colour and design of the feathers and decoration applied to each mask. Also, each feather will have unique natural characteristics.

Having to wear spectacles?
Unfortunately masks & specs don't help each other but decorative sticks can be fixed to one side of any half mask at an extra cost of £7.50 (or you can fix one of your own) If the mask has tall feathers we will supply the stick unfixed ready for you to glue on yourself.

Some bespectacled customers have found that some of the leather masks and shaped masks are supple enough to wear under or over glasses but each to their own. Others have been more creative and glued old lenses to the mask!

Ideal for partying
All of our masks are designed to be worn in the grand tradition of masquerading. They are strong and durable and yet light and comfortable to wear. The 'half masks' are especially good for parties as they give you the freedom to talk, eat, drink etc. Why not elaborate and extend the decoration of the rest of your face and neck with stage make-up? The masks are also a work of art worthy of display and, to hang them on the wall, we recommend that you tie a loop of nylon thread or fishing line through the eyes to make a hanging loop.

Event & bulk orders
Over the years we have proudly supplied numerous private events including weddings, charity functions and corporate events. We are able to offer discounts for bulk orders as follows:

Order value £200-£499 = 5% discount; £500-£999 = 10% discount; £1000 - £2999 = £15% and anything over £3000 = 20% discount.

All masks for bulk orders will be custom made in Venice so please allow 5 weeks for delivery. If the masks are selected from our current stocks delivery can be sooner. Full payment required with order. Prices include VAT and free delivery.

Organising a charity event but would like your guests to buy their own?
If you don't want to place a bulk order yourself you may decide instead to specify us as the designated supplier of masks for your guests so that they can choose & purchase their masks own masks. We will pledge to donate 10% of the cost of each mask bought by your guests to your registered charity by giving your event a special purchase code which you can pass on to all those invited. Please contact us to discuss this further.

Availability - our website is usually updated daily to show only stock available for immediate dispatch. Stocks vary from week to week so it is worth keeping an eye out for new arrivals. However, if a mask is out of stock for any reason we will notify you of the expected availability date and you can change or cancel your order if necessary. Also, some designs are occasionally available in other colours to those shown on the website. Please e-mail any enquiries or telephone our showrooms - we will be more than pleased to help and advise on designs and availability.

History
The crowded narrow streets of 13th century Venice provided little or no privacy to those who lived there. In such a small world both paupers and courtesans alike were constantly under the damaging threat of public scrutiny, judgement and repercussion. The wearing of a mask and the freedom and privacy that came with it enabled the wearer to avoid public recognition and thus express themselves freely, to involve themselves in delicate, deceptive and even illegal and dangerous activities (gambling, adultery, robbery, double-dealing etc) - safe in the knowledge that nobody would know who they were.

The art of masquerading became a normal part of everyday Venetian life and also fostered a relentless moral decline! From the 14th century decrees were introduced to forbid the wearing of masks all year round and 'masquerading' eventually became restricted to special carnivals and festivals. The art of masquerade was reintroduced in the 1980's with te revival of traditional mask making techniques. Carnivalsthroughout the year still drawer visitors from all over the world with the main Venetian event taking place in late January/February.

Carnivale (literally meaning 'without meat before Lent') provides a wonderful opportunity for people from all walks of life to dress up and masquerade together in the magical streets of Venice.