Masks questions

Plague doctors in the 17th century wore protective clothes, with nosegays concealed in their masks. The purpose of the mask was to keep away bad smells, which were thought to be the principal cause of the disease. The beak could hold dried flowers, herbs, camphor or a vinegar sponge.

The Guy Fawkes mask is a stylized depiction of Guy Fawkes, the best-known member of the Gunpowder Plot, an attempt to blow up the House of Lords in London in 1605. The mask was designed by illustrator David Lloyd, and came to represent broader protest after it was used as a major plot element in V for Vendetta, published in 1982, and its 2006 film adaptation.

Masks have been a main feature of the Venetian carnival since the 13th century. As masks were also allowed on Ascension and before Christmas, people could spend a large proportion of the year in disguise.