Mask Arts Company

Raw Neoprene Characters
Commedia dell'Arte Masks
with mask character descriptions

Unfinished neoprene latex masks straight from the mold. Excess cut off, eyes cut out, mask edges unfinished, you do the rest. Comes with finishing instructions, elastic and neoprene latex scraps. You attach the 3/4 inch non-roll elastic by sewing and gluing it on. Neoprene scraps are to test your coloring, glue, finishing and anything else you wish. Needs color and finishing.

Used by theater designers and costumers that wish to finish their masks how they want. Theater teachers who would like their students to experience finishing their masks.

Have a question or request, please feel free ask.

Arlecchino Arlecchinette Pantalone Brighella Scaramouche Female Servant Female Pulcinella Capitano Dottore Pulcinella Devil Mask Laura, Pasquella, Ruffiana Zanni - Long Nose

 




Commedia dell'Arte mask home page

Value Quantity Mask Prices

Raw Neoprene masks
10 different masks $559
15 different masks $832
23 different masks $1,264

Self-Adhesive Moleskin Lining
Putting lining in the inside of your masks makes your mask more comfortable to wear.
$15 per sq ft.

Stanley Allan Sherman © 2018

Arlecchino #2
or Harlequin, Arlequin, Harlekin, Truffaldi, Truffaldino, Bergamesque,Tortellino, Fagiolino

$58

from the 1500s, lowest servant of lower Bergamo, furthest city in the Venetian Republic from Venice. The early Arlecchino, so stupid is genius, an innocent child that never grew up, close to the earth, patched clothing, rhythmic, agile, acrobatic, hungry, lazy, always playing, will do anything.

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Arlecchino #2 , blank mask Arlequin#2 unfinished masqueHarlekin,  raw neoprene  maschera
There are many types of Arlecchino, Carlo Mazzone-Clementi likes the round eye Arlecchino because of it's innocence. This mask fits both males and females well.

Arlecchino #1
or Harlequin, Arlequin, Harlekin, Truffaldi, Truffaldino, Bergamesque,Tortellino, Fagiolino

$62

from the 1600s, some cat like characteristics; patched colorful clothing could be the clean diamond pattern. Lowest servant from lower Bergamo, stupid, sharp wit, mischievously clever, gracefully clumsy and cunning. Alrecchino's could never afford a sword, they used a stick, which became the slapstick.

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Harlequin #1  máscaraTruffaldi #1Bergamesque #1
This is a different type of Arlecchino. Arlecchino changed over the period from the early 1500's to the late 1600's. This mask will fit both males and females.


Arlecchino #3
or Harlequin, Arlequin, Harlekin, Truffaldi, Truffaldino, Bergamesque,Tortellino, Fagiolino

$58

from Lower Bergamo, lowest servant, 1600s. Has a little dog cat and pig, most have at least one of these animal characteristics. All are rhythmic, agile, hungry, stupid, clever, acrobatic and lazy; #3 can be a little more credulous, cunning, ingenious and base. They could play a string instrument.

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Tortellino #3Mezzettino #3Fagiolino #3
This is another type of Arlecchino. There were many Arlecchino off shoots like Bagatino, Zaccagnino, Truff and Truffaldino. This mask will fit both males and females.


Female Arlecchino
or Arlecchinette, Columbine

$47

can have any characteristics of Arlecchino #1, #2 or #3; a coquette, quick wit, like most women of the Commedia dell'Arte, wiser than the men. Knows how to dance, play a tambourine and string instruments, sings, in her special Arlecchinette ways.

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ColumbineArlecchinetteFemale  servent Arlequin
This is a Female Arlecchino or Arlecchinette. It has also been used as Columbina. This mask fits females and is not recommended for males.


Pantalone #1

$57

first old man, pure Venetian, merchant, rich or bankrupt, a noble can be councilor to the Doge or King. Is stingy, greedy, arrogant, penny pinching, suspicious, always thinks of himself first, gruff, can be angry, foolish. Considers himself a young lover.

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  PantalonePantaleon old man

There are many types of Pantalone masks. This mask can also be used for Taraglia, the old man of the Southern Commedia dell'Arte. This mask will fit females and males very well.


Pantalone #2

$64

continue: First love is money. Often made a fool of. If someone comes to collect a debt, can instantly become hard of hearing or sick. Lecherous going after young servants and lovers. Can be gentle, musical and poetic; especially about money first, young women second. Can play string and wind instruments.

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Pantalone #2Old father in Commediaside view of the old man
Pantalone - This Pantalone was made with the guidance of Carlo Mazzone-Clementi. Fit males a little better than females

Pantalone #3

$64

continues: Considers himself a stud. Has medical problems which affect Pantalone usually only when it is convenient, needed or when someone wants something. Always afraid people are after his money; he is mostly right about that. Pantalone is or was a very successful merchant.

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 A different Pantalone maskfront view of the old manPantalone #3 side view
Pantalone - will fit males a little better than females


Laura, Pasquella, Ruffiana
the old woman of the Commedia dell'Arte
New Design

$66

The elderly or old woman of Commedia dell'Arte. She can be; Pantalone's wife, the wise woman knowing secret formulas, leering old hag*1, sometime referred to as a witch. She often is giving sound advice helping young female lovers*2.

*1 The Italian Popular Comedy M.K Lea, page 14: *2The Italian Comedy Duchartre, Page285

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Laura, Pasquella, Ruffiana - will fit both male and females, females a little better. Is an excellent mask for singing in.


Brighella #1
can also be used as Scaramouche and Scapino

$64

from Upper Bergamo, where they are crafty, quick on the uptake, smart, clever, can be cutthroat and care free. Is musical, plays string and wind instruments, sings, may recites poetry. Brighella's name means trouble, intrigue or wrangle, deceive, shuffle, confuse. Usually runs the scenario.

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BrighellaBuffetBeltrame all types of Brighella
This Brighella was made with the guidance of Carlo Mazzone-Clementi. Carlo considered his character Breghella. Fits males better than females.

Brighella #2
can also be used as Scaramouche and Scapino

$57

continue: Whatever he wants, he takes. Is able to talk anyone in or out of anything; can take revenge. Has no problem tricking or cheating someone. Spends money easily. Always helps the lovers. Watches everything and knows all that goes on; so he can use it.

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Flautino Fenocchio or Brighella brotherTruccagnino another relative of Brighella
This Brighella fits males and females well.


Brighella #3
can also be used as Scaramouche and Scapino

$47

continue:Scaramouche from the 1600's; combination of Brighella and Capitano when soldier of fortune were disappearing. Scaramouche has attributes of both. The bragging boasting comes from Capitano. Will say or do anything to get what he wants or out of a situation.

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ScaramoucheScapinoTurlupin
Brighella or Scaramouche. This was one of my first masks and is many peoples favorite in leather. This fits males and females well. Excellent for singing in as the nostrils of the nose are free.

Female Servant
also used as
Female Brighella

$47

rhythmic, sharp witted, gaiety, well grounded, smart and gossipy servant. Sees all that is going on. Helps the lovers, a coquette with other servants; can be bold, hot tempered and stern. Her most likely instrument is a tambourine.

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Female Servantwasher womanside view of Female Brighella
This was designed as a Female Commedia dell'Arte Servant character. It is also excellent for singing as the nostrils of the nose are free. Originally designed for the New York Baroque Dance Company.

Female Character
also used as
Female Pulcinella

$48

has the energy of Pulcinella, she can do anything. A little crazy, very rhythmic, sings, dances, flirtatious, care free, strong willed, plays with situations, quick sharp mind, a ferocious temper, gentle, lovely and usually gets what she wants. Her main instrument is a tambourine.

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Female CharacterPulcinellaFemale Pulcinella
This was designed as a Female Commedia dell'Arte Character. It is good for singing. Originally designed for the New York Baroque Dance Company.

Female Character #2
also used as
Lover

$48

is flirtatious, rhythmic, bold, shy, pleasant, fun, coquette, wise, can play a servant or lover. In most cases lovers did not wear a physical masks. She is musical, sings, dances, her instruments would be a tambourine and / or string instruments.

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This was designed as a Female Commedia dell'Arte Character and Lover. Excellent for singing as the nostrils area is open. Originally designed for the New York Baroque Dance Company.

Capitano #1

$69

bold, bragging, boastful, arrogant, strong, the greatest lover, foreigner, solder of fortune. Can talk endlessly about their amazing deeds and brave heroic acts performed - all fantasies. Fearful of almost anything including their own sword. Sometimes plays a lover, especially in the southern Commedia dell'Arte.

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Capitano #1 Capitano Spavento della Valle Inferna Capitano Spavento della Valle Inferna

This Capitano mask was made with the guidance of Carlo Mazzone-Clementi. Carlo's thumb adjusted the end of Capitano's nose while I was sculpting him. This mask fits males better than females.


Capitano #2

$66

continue: Some say Capitano is always from Spain. One scenario from the book The Commedia dell'Arte from Naples, has four Capitano's. Each doing their boast swagger entrance, a Tuscan Capitano, a Neapolitan Capitano, a Spanish Capitano and Sicilian Capitano.*1 Each playing on their regions mannerisms and culture. Capitano can be from anywhere.

*1 The Commedia dell'Arte in Naples, page 71

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Capitano #2 Cap. MatamorosCap. Sangue Y Fuego
This Capitano #2 mask, I do not consider him as smart as Capitano #1. This mask fits both males and females.

Dottore #1

$45

from Bologna, site of the first university. One theory is the Dottore character was started by students making fun of their professors at the University of Bologna. Dottore can be a medical Doctor, Lawyer or Professor. Plays the second old man in the Northern Commedia dell'Arte, in the Southern Commedia dell'Ate usually plays first old man.

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  Dottore #1Dottore GrazianoDottore Prudentio side view
  Dottore mask, this is great for males and females. Some people that wear eye glasses can wear this mask.

Dottore #2

$44

continue: Loves are, first knowledge, second food and third women in that order. Always consuming knowledge of all kinds. He knows facts on all subjects. Speaks and reads Latin, European languages, Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, Arabic, Tribal languages and more. Plays with words in various languages and with word double meanings.

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Dottore #2Dottore HippocrassoDottore Balanzon side view
Dottore mask, this is great for males and females. Some people that wear eyeglasses can wear this mask.

Dottore #3 new design

$44

continue: Overly well read, has knowledge of everything, talks endlessly, expert on anything, impossible to shut-up, ends-up mixing up all the facts and no one know what he is talking about; but he sounds very impressive. When not talking, consuming food is his second love.

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Dottore mask, this is great for males and females. Some people that wear eyeglasses can wear this mask.

Pulcinella #1

$62

from Naples and is crazy. A chatterbox, one moment brilliant next an idiot; a coward and reckless, greedy, generous and easily deceived. Very rhythmic can also be called a buffoon. His character was established in the early 1600s and is in the Southern Commedia dell'Arte. Percussion, wind and strings are Pulcinella's instruments.

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PulcinellaPulliciniellaPolichinelle
Pulcinella is a Commedia dell'Arte character in Naples and not part of the northern Commedia dell'Arte. This mask fits males and females

Pulcinella #2
some people like to used this mask as a nontraditional Dottore

$69

continue: plays many different rolls in scenario's; i.e., servant, solder, old man, lover, doctor, lawyer, retired general, dentist, peasant, pirate or others. Pirates and slaves are in the southern Commedia dell'Arte, few if any in the Northern Scala scenario's. Pulcinella can play any roll, do anything, nothing is off the table.

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Pulcinella #2 PurricinellaPulcinella
Pulcinella, this mask is also used as a nontraditional Dottore. Pulcinella is a character from Naples and the southern Commedia dell'Arte. This mask fits males better than females.

Three Horned Devil
The devil mask is used in many Commedia dell'Arte scenarii and some plays.

$66

In some scenario a devil mask is needed. This devil can be playful, young or old, mischievous, mean, joyful, clever, cunning, truthful and enjoys everything she or he does. Can play musical instruments, dance and sing.

 

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3 horned devil mask3 horned devil mask

Three Horned Devil, the devil mask is used in some Commedia dell'Arte scenarii. This mask was originally designed for dancer Caroline Copeland and fits females, will fit some males.


Zanni - Long Nose
Almost all servant masks of Commedia dell'Arte are zanni masks.
mask will come raw unfinished

$68

All Zanni's are from Bergamo. Zanni's from lower Bergamo are stupid, Zanni's from upper Bergamo are smart and crafty. Alecchino is a Zanni from lower, Brighella is Zanni from upper Bergamo. Zanni's can be stupid, genius, mischievously clever, graceful, clumsy, cunning, lazy, poetic, acrobatic, musical, they dance, all are very rhythmic and unique. Zanni instruments would be a tambourine, wind and/or string instruments.

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  Zanni  long nose mask tan left  side viewZanni long nose tan mask front viewZanni long nose mask tan right side view
 

Zanni - Long Nose fits males and females, excellent for singing, as there is no blockage of the mouth or nose. Zanni is a general servant character of the Commedia dell'Arte. For teachers I would recommend getting major character masks before the long nose Zanni mask.


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212-255-2882
contact Stanley Allan Sherman - Mask Arts Company
203 West 14th St Studio 5F, New York NY 10011-7138


Recommended books on Commedia dell'Arte


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