10 MOST MAGNIFICENT MASKS
We love the beauty of masquerades way beyond Halloween! Fortunately, there’s plenty more reason to engage in the art of disguise -- an art enjoyed throughout the millennia, from Greek and Roman times, to Medieval, to Baroque, to today.
When we can become someone or something else, we experience a beautiful new kind of freedom. We can explore new identities. We can play in new fantasies. We can experiment with new looks. We can appreciate new interpretations.
The BN Team has curated a collection of fine art and fine craft masks that are sure to tempt your imagination, carry you past Halloween, and inspire you for many magnificent masquerades to come.
Some are available on Etsy, while others can be found in fine art and craft galleries and studios. Check them out below.
1. SEMMERLING MASK STUDIOS
Master mask maker Jeff Semmerling designs and handcrafts elaborate leather masks that turn your face into an instant fantasy. Richly colored leather, studded with Austrian crystals, they are incredibly delicate looking, yet strong. Each edge is turned, to add durability. The inside is hand sanded and glazed to offer a smooth surface next to your face.
2. EDENBEE
Eden Bachelder is a talented artist who also crafts masterpiece masks out of leather. She hand-paints them to create magical patinas. The Spring Earth Elements Leather Bird Mask is painted in dark brown, speckled with black and bronze to resemble rich soil, with metallic dark bronze highlights. Gorgeous green and blue leather feathers sprout from the top, shot with gold highlights. Wear it proudly and/or display this work of art on your wall.
3. BEADMATRIX
The Flirty Lilac and Black Mardi Gras Mask doesn’t have to be just for Mardi Gras, despite its name. Mask designer Catherine Rose, created this Venetian styled gem by hand-weaving Czech glass seed beads in an off-loom Native American brick stitch. A sterling silver chain accented with Swarovski crystals holds it in place on your face. This one is lilac and black, but Rose is happy to custom make one for you in custom colors of your choice.
4. DRAGONSWIRE
Award-winning artist Linda Hawkins specializes in crocheted wire creations. This gorgeous Barking at the Moon mask is made of a variety of metal wires, Swarovski crystals, and glass beads. She uses several techniques, ranging from hollow form construction, flat form manipulation, and single chain stitches to give this mask its 3D shapes. The beads and crystals were applied after the mask was completed. You can see more of Hawkins’ works on display at the National Bead Museum in Phoenix, Arizona.
5. ART OF THE MASK
Wyvern, a Dragon of Myth & Legend, is realized in this handmade mask by artist Cyndy Salisbury. The mask is made of paper mache, using an unusual 100% wool paper. It is durable yet lightweight, and stunning. All of the embellishments (leaves, flowers, etc.) with either wool or parchment papers. Berries, rose hips, and acorns are made with paper clay. Each of Salisbury’s masks are one-of-a-kind. She can also custom design a mask for you.
6. DIAMONDWOOD
The Greenman Leather Mask, from Diamondwood, looks like a fantasy play of Autumn leaves. It is made of hand-cut, stitched, tooled and dyed leather. The design was inspired by the Druidic Greenman. We love the pointed curves and the ombre hues. Wear it or display it.
7. ANDREA MASSE TOGNETTI
This funky Steampunk Gentleman Rabbit, by artist Andrea Masse-Tognetti, looks like it is made of porcelain, but it is another leather mask masterpiece. It is a mixed media piece, with goggle parts, clock bits, gears, and other hardware bit. Merimask, the artist’s studio has designed for Cirque du Soleil and other productions.
8. ERIK’S INSPIRATION
A surreal fantasy bird is a dramatic play of baroque color and form. The Peacock Debonair Beaked Mask, designed by Erik’s Inspiration, bears a shock of coque and peacock feathers. The mask is burnished and embellished with turquenite, goldstone, pyrite, metal, and Swarovski crystals.
9. MORE ERIK’S INSPIRATION
This carved Bauta mask, designed by Erik’s Inspiration, is crested with royal blue ostrich plumes and rooster feathers. It is accented with lapis lazuli, pyrite, turquenite, and Swarovski crystals.
10. RAGGED EDGE LEATHER
As long as your masquerade party is not being held in the woods, the Wild Deer Mask, by Ragged Leather Edge, is a magnificent choice. The mask is handcrafted from premium leather, hand painted, lacquered, and layered with springbok hide. Crowned with adjustable leather antlers and studded with Swarovski crystals, it sits lightly, and beautifully on your human head. Custom pieces are available for order.
Read more about Beautiful Masquerades in The Most Beautiful Costume Game, Costume Envy: Princess Lockerooo, These Sweet Halloween Treats Last a Lifetime, The Art of Becoming A Fantasy, Beautiful Animal Masquerades and Food as Landscapes & Lessons.
And check out more beautiful things happening now in BN Mind/Body, Soul/Impact, Nature/Science, Food/Drink, Arts/Design, and Place/Time, Daily Fix posts.
Want more stories like this? Sign up for our weekly BN Newsletter, Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr. Join our BeautifulNow Community and connect with the most beautiful things happening in the world right now!
Do you have amazing photos? Enter them in this week’s BN Photo Contest. We run new creative contest every week! Now, it’s even easier to enter with the new BeautifulNow App!
Plus check out the rest of our App’s beautiful features. It’s free to download here.
IMAGE CREDITS:
- Photo: Courtesy of Semmerling Mask Studios. Ocean Medusa Headdress.
- Photo: Courtesy of Semmerling Mask Studios. Leather Little Leaf Mask.
- Photo: Courtesy of Eden Bachelder. Spring Earth Elements Leather Bird Mask.
- Photo: Courtesy of Catherine Rose. Flirty Lilac and Black Mardi Gras Mask.
- Photo: Courtesy of Linda Hawkins. “Barking at the Moon”
- Photo: Courtesy of Cyndy Salisbury. Wyvern.
- Photo: Courtesy of Diamondwood. Greenman Leather Mask.
- Photo: Courtesy of Merimask. March-of-Time Hare V12. Mask by Andrea Masse Tognetti.
- Photo: Courtesy of Erik’s Inspiration. Peacock Debonair Beaked Mask.
- Photo: Courtesy of Erik’s Inspiration. Multicolor Warrior Bauta Mask.
- Photo: Courtesy of Ragged Edge Leather. Wild Deer Mask.
- Photo: Courtesy of Semmerling Mask Studios. Leather & Feather Domino Mask.
- Photo: Courtesy of Jeff Semmerling Mask. Leather and Austrian Crystal Revel Mask.
- Image: by BN App - Download now!
- Photo: Courtesy of Semmerling Mask Studios. Leather Maple Leaf Mask.
