Venetian Masquerade Pair - Long Nose Zanni Mask and Blue and Gold Colombina with Music Motif

Pair of Venetian-style carnival masks with ribbon ties. The first is a long nose Zanni-style half mask, split down the centre in glossy black and cream, with raised silver scrollwork stucco and printed music score accents around the eyes and along the nose. The second is a Colombina-style eye mask in deep blue with raised gold scrollwork, music score decoupage, a cream cheek panel and a round seal on the cheek. Both have white-finished interiors and black ribbon ties. Fronts show good colour and detail; interiors show paint rubs and scuffs from wear, and one ribbon end is frayed. | | *Masks in the Zanni and Colombina styles are classic characters of the Venice Carnival and the Commedia dell'arte tradition, with the long nose Zanni mask among the most recognizable designs. Handcrafted Venetian papier-mâché masks with stucco relief and hand-painted metallic finishes typically retail in Venice from around 30 to 80 euros each, and the matching music motif makes these two a natural display pair for a wall, shelf or masquerade event.