Venetian bird mask

Sometimes I’ll show a mask I used to own because they represent cultures we don’t see much on the Mystery Mask blog. Call it a change of pace.

This one is European, a classic carnival mask made of papier mache from Venice . Signed by the artist “Barbare” on the rear. An almost identical mask is illustrated in the book, “Masks from Around the World.” This one is a used mask with quite a few chips in the paint and some large repairs. I suspect the wearer may have fallen down a few times.  In my opinion, the repairs make for a good story and do not distract much from its beauty.  782