Mask Arts Company

Leather

Commedia dell'Arte Masks

Each leather Commedia dell'Arte mask is made by hand. As each piece of leather is different, each mask will have its own individual character and will have slight differences. Each mask is signed and numbered.

My leather techniques were developed on my own independently. My road included R&D, trying different things then later exchanging tricks and techniques with some of the finest leather artists and craftsperson's around the world at the international leather arts and craft conferences. Over 42 years of experience, Mask Makers from different parts of the world stop by my studio in NYC to say hello. We exchange knowledge and friendship.

Many Commedia dell'Arte leather masks that you may see have a large seam. Either single or double seam going down, under the nose or from the tip of the nose through the lip. My masks for the most part have no seams like this. Masks take longer to make this way; the leather quality must be high to get the leather to stretch as far as I do and feel it results in a high quality mask.

Oh, I do put a soul into each mask. Thank you to the writer of the old Drama Review article of how some mask makers in Asia put a soul in some of their masks. When I create a leather mask for you I ask for a photo of you so I know who I am making the mask for and think about you as I am creating it.

Commedia dell'Arte Home Page

Arlecchino Arlecchinette Pantalone Brighella Scaramouche Female Servant Female Pulcinella Capitano Dottore Pulcinella Zanni

Value Quantity
Leather Masks

Finished Leather masks
with adjustable elastic
with or without hair
your choice

5 different Commedia dell'Arte charater masks: $1,700
10 different masks: $2,935
21 different masks: $5,967

* You have shading and color options for your mask.
* All leather Commedia dell'Arte masks come with adjustable elastic.
* Eyebrow hair on your mask is optional and will go over your hair choices.
* Three above options no charge; except rare color finishing choices.

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

$300

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.
Back to the Top

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

$279

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.

Back to the Top

Female Arlecchino
or Arlecchinette, Columbina

$216

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.

Back to the Top

Pantalone #1

$337

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.

Back to the Top

There are many types of Pantalone masks. This mask will fit females and males very well.

Pantalone #2

$395

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.

Back to the Top

Pantalone #3

$458

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.

Back to the Top

Pantalone - will fit males a little better than females but can be made to fit females.

Brighella #1
or his relatives Scaramouche, Scapino, Buffet, Beltrame, Flautino, Fenocchio, Truccagnino,Turlupin

$339

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.

Back to the Top

Brighella #2
or his relatives Scaramouche, Scapino, Buffet, Beltrame, Flautino, Fenocchio, Truccagnino,Turlupin

$316

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.

Back to the Top

Brighella #3
or his relatives Scaramouche, Scapino, Buffet, Beltrame, Flautino, Fenocchio, Truccagnino,Turlupin

$210

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.

Back to the Top

Female Servant
also used as
Female Brighella

$190

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.

Back to the Top

Female Character
also used as
Female Pulcinella

$239

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.

Back to the Top

This was designed as a Female Commedia dell'Arte Character. It is good for singing. Originally designed for the New York Baroque Dance Company. You can order it with or without hair.

Capitano #1

$500

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.

Back to the Top

Capitano #2

$416

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

Back to the Top

Dottore #1

$246

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.

Back to the Top

Dottore #3 new design

$246

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.

Back to the Top

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

Pulcinella #2

$395

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.

Back to the Top