Bauta is famous through the Carnival of Venice as it is the main type of mask worn during the Carnival. Bauta was used also on many other occasions as a device for hiding the wearer’s identity and social status. It would permit the wearer to act more freely in cases where he or she wanted to interact with other members of the society outside the bounds of identity and everyday convention. It was thus useful for a variety of purposes, some of them illicit or criminal, others just personal, such as romantic encounters. The Bauta’s most distinctive feature is its prominent, beak-like chin, which juts out sharply from the face. This design allowed the wearer to speak, eat, and drink without the need to remove the mask, making it a practical choice for extended gatherings and social events. The mask was often paired with a black cloak, called a tabarro, and a tricorn hat, which further obscured the wearer’s identity and added to the sense of mystery and anonymity.
