Think dolls are creepy? Can’t imagine living with all those eyes staring at you? Then using masquerade ball masks as wall decorations may not work for you either. But if the problem with dolls is the presence of a life-like eye, like it is for me, then the empty eye holes of masks may not creep you out.
Why would anyone want masquerade ball masks hung on their wall? For one thing, some of them are made by artists and master craftsmen. The Venetian masquerade masks are beautiful and ones by known makers are quite expensive. Whether they are ever worn (and you better not) or not, they are beautiful when hung on a wall like art. Securely fastened to the wall, and with a spot light, real Venetian masquerade ball masks for women can be the highlight of your decor and your collection. Add a few others in an arrangement around the Venetian mask, one’s you really like, and see what conversations begin.
Don’t think you will end up with a collection? Ha! I say again, ha! The only way to tell better masquerade ball masks from ordinary masquerade masks is to look at them. And as you look and learn, a few will call your name and require you to take them home with you. Voile! A collection is born. Struggle against the notion as you will, you will end up with more than one, and that is a collection. And there is nothing wrong with that. Collecting is fun as well as educational. You will learn how masks are made, and their history. Almost all cultures create masks, and for various reasons. World culture at your fingertips. And as your taste improves, you can give the masks that no longer measure up to someone else to get them started. Pass on the insanity to someone you love. It is only fair, and then you two will have something in common to talk about at family gathering or during half-time.
So, now you want to begin looking at masquerade ball masks and maybe buy a few. Look at state and local fall fairs, Renaissance Fairs, and craft fairs and malls. Gift shops will have mass produced masks, but if you like it, the production method doesn’t really matter. Look at Halloween stores and season sections of general merchandise stores, just in case. Watch for masks when you travel. And when you are ready, start looking at the hand-made masks from Italy and Venice. You may not want one from the top echelon of mask makers, but there are plenty of masks from lesser-known mask makers, and you may find one you like enough to collect his or her masks extensively.
Still think I am crazy? That’s OK. Not all collectibles are meaningful to all people. If you do not like masquerade ball masks or dolls, try fishing lures or quarter gum-ball machine prizes. Anything can be an American collectible.
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