---

Welcome to THE ROW HOUSE™

We at THE ROW HOUSE™ use the finest silks, fabrics and dyes from around the world, all items are delicately handcrafted to give you the best products possible for your artistic needs.

Welcome to the historical beauty of the Venice Carnival!

According to legend, the Carnival of Venice started following the military victory of the Venetian Republic over the Patriarch of Aquileia, Ulrico di Treven in the year 1162. The people of Venice gathered in Saint Mark’s Square (San Marco) to dance and celebrate their victory. Ever since then, the victory was celebrated in the streets of Venice. This festival started in that period and became official in the Renaissance. During the Venice Carnivals in the past, the streets of Venice were full of people wearing masks which allowed them to protect their identity and remove any social differences. Besides, masks allowed a wearer to hide his identity during licentious and dissolute activities. Mary Festival (La Festa Delle Marie) is one of the main events of the Venetian carnival. This colourful event is connected with the events that took place in Venice more than a thousand years ago. Various legends are explaining the origin of the holiday. Perhaps the celebration of Mary began in the year 943. Venice Carnevale is Italy’s top Carnival, or Mardi Gras, celebration. Carnevale season lasts about two weeks, culminating on the day of Carnival (called Martedi Grasso, or Fat Tuesday, in Italian)
Venetian masks can be made of leather, porcelain or using the original glass technique. The original masks were rather simple in design and decoration and often had a symbolic and practical function. Nowadays, most Italian masks are made with gesso and gold leaf application and are hand-painted using natural feathers and gems to decorate. Several distinct styles of the mask are worn in the Venice Carnival, some with identifying names. People with different occupations wore different masks. Near the end of the Republic, the wearing of the masks in daily life was severely restricted. By the 18th century, it was limited only to about three months from December 26. The masks were traditionally worn with decorative beads matching in colour. Many styles/characters were worn including… Medico Della Peste (The Plague Doctor)…Moretta/Servetta muta…Volto (Larva)…Pantalone…Arlecchino and Zanni.

Inspired by “Columbina”
One of the first actresses in the Commedia dell’arte felt her face was much too beautiful to cover completely, and so instead wore a half-mask especially designed for her. The mask type quickly became popular and nowadays is highly decorated with gold, silver, crystal, and feathers.

---