Vintage Venetian Carnival Mask by Vincenzo Manzini

Mask manufactured according to the ancient traditions of Venetian craftsmen (mascareri) by hand. Reproductions of original masks at the Carnival of Venice, enriched by the imagination of the master Manzini, made of papier-mâché, painted by hand with effect "cracked" and decorated with precious stones of colored glass. Crushed velvet and gold braid complement the work. This mask is signed (Manzini) on the back.

From aparchive.com (2008):
"Vincenzo Manzini is a traditional mask-making artisan. He was born on the island of Murano in the Venetian lagoon famed for its glass work and began working as a glass decorator until switching to mask-making in 1983. His masks follow the traditional classic Venetian theatre form. Manzini explains how he starts with the papier-mâché forms, works them into smooth faced masks and then creates a faux-ceramic exterior, covered with original creations made with beads and cloth. He says the papier-mâché part takes him two to three days. 'I love to do this type of work that gives the sense of being ceramic to the mask, when in reality the mask is made of papier-mâché,' Manzini says. Manzini has his own stand in the Campo Santo Stefano during the Carnival season, but most of the time he supplies stores with his masks."

Excellent condition; No fading of fabric; Some flaking on side of nose (see pics); Beautiful and unique handmade piece.