Venetian masks in the interior. A travel souvenir mask can be dangerous. Reflection of art and luxury in style

Masks hide the face and decorate the interior. Of those that decorate the interior, there are fashionable and unfashionable ones. In this article we will talk about fashionable ones. Don't take others. The exception is if they have sunk into your soul.

Europeans noticed them at the beginning of the 20th century. African masks have attracted attention with their mystical shapes, appearance and complex but beautiful patterns.

In Africa, they realized that they could make money from this addiction of Europeans, and launched the production of masks on an industrial scale.

However, as happens with many other things, masks have not lost popularity and are still used as souvenirs and home decorations. The reason is that modern pieces copy ancient ones, which were worn by shamans during rituals or which depicted gods and heroes.

Today, African masks come in two types:

• those that are made in line production (price approximately 1,500 rubles);
• those that are made by hand (their prices vary).

Venetian masks are divided into three types:

• antiques;
• modern;
• souvenirs

They are made by hand (they are expensive, but very beautiful and excite the imagination) and in mass production (cheaper, but suitable for home decor). Mask decorations include beads, feathers, silk, brocade, bells, designs made from acrylic paints, gold or silver foil, enamel, etc. The latter is used to make the masks look like antique objects.

To decorate the interior, people buy masks made of porcelain, ceramics, leather and papier-mâché.

Don't be alarmed. And don’t think that you shouldn’t decorate your interior with them, because they’re scary. On the contrary, they will not only decorate the house, but also improve the environment. According to legend, frightening masks drove out evil spirits from the house, which brought troubles and troubles. In addition, in ancient times such masks were given to wish good luck, a rich harvest, health, good hunting and strong children.

If you hang masks haphazardly, then even the most beautiful specimens will look stupid and ruin the look. To prevent this from happening, hang masks on one wall, not on all of them.

The ideal place is the hallway and other places through which owners and guests often pass.

Bad places are sunny. When the sun shines on the masks, they lose their mystery and turn into ordinary objects.

If the mask is large, hang it midway between the floor and ceiling.

Conclusion

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The mood of the room is set by accessories, which is why designers devote so much time and effort to their harmonious selection. Manufacturers do not limit the flight of imagination: small souvenir shops and famous interior salons offer an abundance of paintings, tapestries, figurines and decorative tableware for every taste. Some of these lots are familiar and do not raise any questions, but some are puzzling: the frightening grins of ethnic souvenirs and the risk of not comprehending the sacred meaning inherent in the printed symbols are serious arguments to refuse the purchase exotic decoration. WESTWING shopping club consultants will tell you how to correctly place ethnic masks in interior decor and which images should be avoided.

The meaning of masks in the culture of different nations

Modern man has quickly freed himself from the superstitions of his ancestors: placing ethnic masks in interior decor, many do not even try to comprehend their meaning in pursuit of an attempt to create a fashionable ethnic look for the room. For an ancient person, and for many indigenous peoples who have not yet been absorbed by civilization and have preserved the centuries-old traditions of their unique culture, a mask is a cult object that requires special veneration. The mask is an element of the most complex and significant rituals in a person’s life: welcoming a baby into the world, seeing off the deceased to the kingdom of shadows, gathering a hunter-breadwinner for prey and handing over a girl to her husband’s family. In grief and joy, the mask accompanies the inhabitants of the African continent, Indian tribes and northerners, that is, mainly residents of regions that are heavily dependent on Mother Nature and her whims.

Skeptics may argue that a resident of a metropolis, more dependent on traffic jams and cellular reception, does not necessarily understand the meaning of a particular symbol inscribed on an African or Egyptian wooden plate. In some ways, this opinion is correct. But for those who periodically look into the horoscope or know exactly how mirrors should be hung in the house in accordance with the flow of Feng Shui, knowledge of how to correctly place ethnic masks in interior decor so as not to anger the spirits supposedly living in these ethnic -souvenirs.

African masks: how to bring the favor of spirits into the interior, not a curse

African masks are a large and diverse group, unlike any other or even geographically related accessories of religious objects. In an ethno-interior of the appropriate style, they look somewhat mystical and even frightening. Dark wooden sculptures, shiny with oil, fascinate with their empty eye sockets, not allowing you to look away. The most common groups of African masks brought by tourists from the hot continent:

• artisanal, agricultural, called fertility masks;
• military;
• animalistic, designed to pacify the beast;
• ritual.

Ritual masks are not recommended for use as decoration in living rooms. Its characteristic features are the red eyes of the images and emphatically evil grins with bestial features. Beliefs warn of the opening of a portal to the land of spirits for those who wear such an image, so people who do not have shamanic skills are not recommended to touch such objects.

Absolutely safe and even useful, if you believe the legends of African peoples, are fertility masks, which in some sources are also interpreted as masks of male and female fusion. Their characteristic difference is the use of nature colors in decoration: white, blue or blue and green. Drops, as a symbol of life-giving rain, are also a sure sign of a mask invoking the favor of the spirits.

Military and animal masks African style allows without restrictions: they are considered neutral and do not carry a mystical load. This is a kind of masquerade that allows a warrior and a fellow tribesman pretending to be an animal to tell neighbors about their exploits and boast to the future bride of their merits in the hunting field. Masks with the image of a tiger or lion, as well as images of faces with open eyes framed by small designs, are an excellent wall accessory for both the living room and the office, the owner of which wants to emphasize the originality of his hobbies.

Egyptian masks: worship of beauty

These images are completely different from African masks: there are no frightening grins, the materials are filigree processed and richly decorated. In the Egyptian style, masks, although also accompanying the deceased, recall their earthly life and physical beauty. Popular images, recognizable at first sight, are the faces of pharaohs and legendary beauties, optimally fitting into richly decorated interiors of the corresponding style. Nefertiti and Ramses are unique symbols of beauty and wealth, respectively; placed on the wall, this is exactly the message they convey. Egyptian masks go perfectly in the interior with glossy mosaics, unlike African, the best background for which is the matte texture of decorative plaster. But the wooden sculptures of the dark continent, often decorated with twine or cords, contrast well with the fur, which looks out of place in the style of pyramids and sands.

Venetian masks: behind-the-scenes secrets of Italy

We can talk about the Venetian carnival for hours, as well as about the masks that are displayed there. Surprisingly, Italy was able to preserve the spirit of the era of the famous conquerors of ladies' hearts and their lovers: traditional masks confidently fight with the new model, no matter how spectacular it may be.

When going to a souvenir shop to buy a wall or tabletop artifact from Italy, you should give preference to the classic images associated with the amazing city of canals and gondolas. In order to buy ethnic masks in accordance with traditions, you need to study at least a little the classics of Italian culture. Masks of pigs, tigers and owls, decorated with rhinestones and textiles, although they look decorative, have minimal relevance to the history of Italian art. Traditional figures of the Renaissance: Harlequin, Columbine, Doctor, Captain and others will more accurately complement the interior in the Italian style. These spectacularly decorated masks go well with high-quality textiles, wall paintings, curvaceous furniture and paintings in bulky inlaid frames. The optimal complement to the collection of masks from Venice placed on the walls will be mirrors.

Placing masks in the interior

There are not many options for the arrangement of the ethnic collection:

• on the walls;
• on shelves;
• on chests of drawers or wall tables.

In the latter case, you will have to worry about purchasing decent stands in order to firmly secure the artifacts in the viewing area. Placing it on the wall will only require good fastenings so that massive accessories do not fall. The background can be any wallpaper of a suitable texture, but its design should not distract from the main emphasis. For African motifs, a sand theme is perfect, and for Venice, a stripe with a gilded border. In the latter case, the masks can even be centered relative to the stripes, once again emphasizing the diversity of Italian roles.

Large masks are placed separately, ensuring sufficient visibility for each element. Small ones can be placed in a group, for example, in a checkerboard pattern above a sofa or in diameter above a desk. There is no point in trying to place an extensive collection on one wall: a clutter of elements will not allow you to sufficiently appreciate each of the objects. If the collection includes many copies, you can take care of a special rack, the cells of which will be equipped with informative signs for less erudite acquaintances.

A mask cannot exist in the interior by itself: it is an important and spectacular accent, but in the absence of support in the form of other accessories, it will look out of place and even stupid. A huge selection of worthy partners from the ethno-collections of leading designers can be found and purchased in the catalogs of partners of the WESTWING shopping club. And on the pages of this interior guide you can find thousands of tips on organizing a stylish interior in any style from classic to avant-garde.

Anyone who has ever been to Venice is familiar with the era of the luxurious Renaissance. The spirit of Italian aristocrats can be created in your home.

The Venetian style in the interior appeared in the 14th century. with the advent of the heyday of culture and painting. During this time, famous artists experimented with different colors, new lines and shapes.

Advanced technologies were created and immediately introduced into house designs.

The special grace and uniqueness of the era quickly acquired certain features that distinguish the Venetian style, making it recognizable:

• The main thing is the color of each interior, a complex combination of shades and lighting effects. Colors occupy a special place: rich purple, bright blue, emerald and beige.
• There is an abundance of elements with gilding and silver, which emphasizes the splendor and presentability of the decoration.
• All the details are extravagantly luxurious.
• The floor is decorated with marble or ceramic tiles.
• Large mirrors in gilded frames made of expensive wood.

The walls were decorated with silk-screened wallpaper, Venetian plaster and beautiful paintings in the style of Baroque palaces.

Unique decor made of gold leaf, unusually shaped twisted columns to support vaults, headboards of large beds with openwork carvings. The floor was decorated with huge carpets by Italian masters.

Furnishings

Choosing Venetian style furniture calls for bulky wooden pieces, but elegantly decorated with luxurious upholstery in velvet, silk or tapestry.

Murano glass and stained glass are a must for style.

Large cabinets for storing books and manuscripts, where valuable collections of rarities are collected.

Venice is an ancient city of trade, where sailors and numerous tourists came, so placing maps and a globe in a library is more appropriate.

You need beautiful massive lamps, rare figurines, masks for carnivals, which were very popular in Venice. It is better to place them on a marble tabletop in a Venetian-style room.

All the furniture takes up a large volume and is massive, so to create an exquisite corner of sunny Italy you need a lot of space and considerable funds.

Creating Venice in the bedroom

To create a Venetian style bedroom you need to follow some rules:

• huge bed made of natural wood;
• curtains with heavy drapes;
• forged interior parts (candelabra, figurines) or glass;
• central large chandelier with gilded details;
• a bed with several pillows of different sizes.

Venetian kitchen and bathroom

To give the rooms a Venetian style design, there must be columns and arches. Elegant antique decorative objects adorn the semicircular niches.

Decorate the walls in pastel colors. A mirror is one of the attributes of style, a lot of light. Venice loves holidays, so the design should have the feeling of a bright, cheerful celebration.

Venetian living room

The rest room and reception of guests requires a large area. Venetian style interior decoration allows for a wide range of rich colors for a luxurious appearance.

One wall can be covered with photo wallpapers with beautiful landscapes of Italy, panoramic views of bridges and cities.

On others hang reproductions of great painters: Michelangelo, Botticelli, da Vinci and Titian, they reflected this era in their work.

Long, thick, heavy floor-length curtains made of expensive fabric will complement the overall look.

Custom-made wooden furniture with carved legs, beautifully decorated backs, sofas and armchairs upholstered in velvet are irreplaceable. Such exclusive items give the interior a unique personality.

The decor includes painted floor vases, clocks, bronze figurines, and crystal trinkets.

Venice was called the “Pearl of Europe”, and the Venetian style was called the “pearl of interior design”. This is a combination of several European styles with the wonderful Italian taste of sophistication and romantic nobility.

Having seen Venice, everyone will want to decorate a house (apartment) in the Venetian style, where eternal joy and sunshine reign in the luxury of the interior.

Photo of Venetian style in the interior

Venetian style in the interior is an atmosphere of romance and luxury, refined aristocracy and the special spirit of the Renaissance era, valued by many. The design typical of Venice interiors can easily be recreated in any room of your own apartment, and the advice of recognized designers will help you with this.

Reflection of art and luxury in style

The Venetian style in the interior appeared in the 14th century; it was at that time that the development of art received a powerful impetus. Perhaps the halls of the Doge's Palace can serve as examples of Venetian interior design.

Recognized masters widely experimented with the shades, lines, and the most bizarre shapes used. The interior of the house was equipped in accordance with the latest trends and technologies of that period.

The design of a house in the Venetian style can be described as unique and sophisticated. It has a number of distinctive features that allow you to immediately guess it by the smallest details of the interior.

• The first characteristic feature of the Venetian style is color. The interior in the spirit of Venice is designed based on a complex color palette. Purple, emerald, deep blue and beige shades are especially popular in interior design.
• The decor is distinguished by volume and complex texture.
• The interior design must be selected taking into account the use of silver and golden decorative elements; they will always emphasize the luxury of the apartment.
• Venetian style also means creating certain accents that can emphasize the luxury of the entire environment.
• A house in this style is unthinkable without laying stylized or marble tiles on the floor.
• In the photo in the Venetian interior, you will definitely see massive mirrors framed in heavy frames made of natural and noble wood.
• Venetian plaster is widely used in wall decoration; you can also use silk-screened wallpaper.
• For an apartment in the Venetian style, exclusive decor is selected - carved, openwork headboards for the bed, twisted columns supporting the ceiling vault, objects made of gold leaf. It is customary to lay expensive handmade carpets on the floor.

Selection of furniture

The design of a house in the Venetian style must be selected taking into account the use of certain furniture models. The style requires the use of massive interior items, but at the same time, both in the living room and in the bedroom or hallway, the furniture should be predominantly wooden and sophisticated.

Upholstery materials such as velvet, tapestry, and silk are welcome. Furniture for the kitchen and living room should also contain stained (or Murano) glass. Bookcases that are large in size and contain valuable collectible publications are a must in a Venetian interior.

A house decorated in the Venetian style also requires ancient (or pseudo-antique) geographical maps and globes. They are especially relevant in the library or living room.

Venetian style in the interior includes figurines placed on the chest of drawers, lamps of certain shapes, carnival masks and souvenir plates. Such gizmos, which create the necessary ambience, can also be placed on the mantelpiece. In addition to the fireplace, if space allows, you can install a table with a massive marble top in the living room or kitchen to highlight the style.

Almost all the furniture used to create interiors in the Venetian style is of impressive size. And therefore, the dream of such luxury can only be realized in large rooms.

It should be taken into account that a classic Venice house is, first of all, beauty and chic, and only then – comfort and coziness. This feature is not convenient for everyone, so when considering the future design of your apartment, consider your needs.

Luxurious bedroom

A bedroom decorated in Venetian style will allow you to imagine a trip along the Italian canals before going to bed. It must be taken into account that the traditional Venetian bedroom has several characteristic features.

• The room should have a wide bed made of noble wood.
• Heavy curtains are attached to the windows.
• Interior decor must also include items such as candelabra and figurines.
• A crystal chandelier covered with gold is fixed in the middle of the ceiling.

Bathroom and kitchen decor

Bathrooms and kitchens in the Venetian style require columns and arches. Small niches are also specially created where it is customary to display elegant and expensive accessories.

The shades of the walls in the kitchen and bathroom should be predominantly pastel; for this purpose, light plaster or wallpaper is selected. An interior in this style is unthinkable without large mirrors and good lighting, since Venice is always a celebration and luxury.

Spacious living room

The Venetian living room is a large room with a high ceiling. The choice of style colors is quite wide. It is necessary to use wallpaper with deep and noble shades.

Venetian plaster will help give the room a respectable look. One of the walls can be covered with photo wallpapers with Italian themes and panoramic photographs. Paintings by Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Titian are welcome on the walls.

A mandatory decor that creates the right accent for the style of the entire room is heavy curtains made of expensive and high-quality material. For the living room, you should choose handmade furniture, which will make the design unique. The decor of the Venetian living room includes floor vases, antique clocks and bronze figurines, and crystal products.

Venetian plaster

You can create a unique look for your home if you use a finishing material such as Venetian plaster. This high-quality modern plaster is transparent in appearance and allows you to achieve a matte effect on the walls.

Plaster can easily replace wallpaper, especially since it is sold in the form of a material that can be painted in any shade.

The depth and transparency of Venetian plaster is achieved by following the technique of its application. Craftsmen use a triangular spatula for this, and then apply special beeswax to the coating, which protects the walls from scratches and damage.

Venetian plaster provides many advantages, the most important ones include:

• waterproofness of the walls (due to this they can be washed as much as you like);
• durability (only the warranty reaches 10 years);
• fire safety (in addition, the plaster does not emit toxic substances or foreign odors);
• versatility (plaster can be used to decorate the walls of the hallway, living room, kitchen and even bathroom: the high wear resistance of the material has been confirmed by numerous tests).

You can apply Venetian plaster to the walls yourself, the main thing is to carefully study the installation technology.

Despite the many demands of this luxurious style and the significant costs of its implementation in the interior, fans of Venice create an atmosphere in their homes that is reminiscent of gondolas, stilts, the Adriatic and pigeons in Piazza San Marco.

Mask, Do I know you! It's fun to guess who is hiding under the carnival mask. The same cannot be said about the masks that tourists love to bring from travel as souvenirs. Interiors are decorated with masks; they serve as an especially good addition to ethnic styles. These masks most of all contain mysticism and mystery, which is not entirely good if you do not know the true purpose of this mask.

∗ Therefore, before you bring a luxurious overseas souvenir into your home, ask about the history of the origin and use of this mask, and about the culture of the country.

Ritual masks

Such masks are especially common in African countries. Ritual masks carry a sacred meaning and are intended to convey certain information coming from a world invisible to ordinary people. Such masks are decorated with characteristic patterns, mystical signs, and they contain encrypted messages that protect those present at the funeral ceremony from the invasion of evil forces of the other world.

Such masks are usually worn by men when performing a ritual dance, and women are not even allowed to touch these masks.

The mystical power embedded in cult objects does not always have protective power. Some masks are created to curse or bring misfortunes and illnesses to the future owner of this souvenir. Accordingly, by decorating your home with such an exotic exhibit, you will damage the energy of the house.

• One of these ominous souvenirs is considered Marus mask. In African villages, it was thrown to the house of people who were considered traitors, and the mask itself signifies a wish for a curse.
• In Nigeria, terracotta sculptures with a face profile are created for funerary purposes.
• And the Cameroonians, in their masks, more reflect the past.

The variety of patterns on masks is a symbolic description of the stages of human transformation. Such masks are used for split personality, so that one can communicate with the souls of the dead, during special sessions and during the burial of the deceased.

• Some masks are used when sacrificing an animal, protecting oneself from the spirit of death. These are common in Zaire, and are especially popular Bwanga figure, which depicts the ruler of various forces of nature.
• There are masks decorated with fangs, tails, skulls, and horns of various animals. One of the most common such ritual masks from the Ivory Coast, denoting world chaos.

Is it worth purchasing such exotic items, which sometimes carry sinister or mystical powers, in memory of a trip to Africa?

Carnival masks

The history of carnivals goes back to Roman times, when a festival was held in honor of Saturn and the end of agricultural work. People rejoiced at the harvest and organized magnificent feasts and celebrations. On these days, slaves were freed from work, they were allowed to sit at the same table with the nobles, who, by the way, also served their servants, i.e. it was the other way around.

With the advent of the Venetian festival during the Renaissance, the mask appeared as the main attribute of a carnival costume. The mask allowed you to take on any appearance, conventions went away and new acquaintances and relationships with any person could be allowed, because everyone was equal.

One of the most common Venetian masks is Bauta. With its elongated appearance, it resembles a ritual African one; however, the Venetian mask was used only for appearing incognito, when high-ranking officials did not want to be recognized in society. Any citizen could afford such a mask.

A mask that transformed any young lady into a noble person "Venetian Lady". Such a mask was decorated with feathers and precious stones, with an unusual hairstyle. Several options for the Venetian lady are being considered: Liberty, Salome, Fantasia.

Cat mask. The origin of this mask is associated with a story about a poor Chinese man who arrived in Venice with one cat. After some time, the Chinese returned to his homeland as a rich man. He became this way thanks to a cat who killed all the mice in the palace of the noble Doge.

The cat was left in service in Venice for a huge reward. Having told his amazing success story, the Chinese inspired his neighbors to go to Venice with a more expensive product, which was expected to fetch a larger sum than for some cat.

The goods were appreciated, especially Chinese silks, for which it was not a pity to give the most expensive and valuable thing that the noble Doge had - a cat.

Citizen Mask, or Volto. Such masks were allowed to be worn not only at the carnival, but also on certain weekdays, permitted by local authorities. It could be worn by a citizen of any class. Volto's mask almost completely followed the contours and shape of the face.

Death Mask

Mystery plays and carnivals always demonstrated not only the celebration of life, but also its other side - death. Death was portrayed by specially dressed people wearing masks and robes reminiscent of death.

In France, such a mummer was called the Fierce Reaper or the Lord of Death.

The most familiar and popular image of death is the skull mask, which was worn as a hat and hoodie costume with a skeleton image. This outfit came from Tibet.

Another one mask reminiscent of death - Venetian Doctor Plague. She is creepy looking, with a long beak-like nose. Such masks were used by healers during the plague, from which Venice suffered several times. It was assumed that various oils and medicinal potions, which were placed in the long nose, could protect the doctor from infection.
Later, “Doctor Plague” became one of the popular characters at the carnival.

When buying a mask, you need to think not only about what place it will take in the interior, how it will decorate the wall, but also about its true historical and ethnic significance.

Not all masks are mystical or cult objects. Many of them reflect the culture of a particular country.

If you are not sure what secret meaning a mask hides, do not rush to decorate your room with it: they can tell a lot about the secret passions and hobbies of the owners of the house. An unusual mask can give your guests the wrong impression about you.