Italy, Venice: Gondolier in winter

Italy, Venezia: Gondoliers

Italy, Venetia

Italy, Venice: La Bauta mask

In 18th century, together with a black cape called a "tabarro", the bauta had become a standardized society mask and disguise regulated by the Venetian government. It was obligatory to wear it at certain political decision-making events when all citizens were required to act anonymously as peers. Only citizens (i.e., men) had the right to use the bauta. The mask's beak-like chin is designed to enable the wearer to talk, eat, and drink without having to remove it, thereby preserving the wearer's anonymity. Also, the bearing of weapons along with the mask was specifically prohibited by law and enforceable by the Venetian police.

Given this history and its grotesque design elements, the bauta was usually worn by men, but many paintings done in the 18th century also depict women wearing this mask and tricorn hat.

Italy: Baìo

The Baìo (also known as "Baìo di Sampeyre") is a traditional festival that takes place every five years in the municipality of Sampeyre, in the Valle Varaita in the province of Cuneo, Italy. The "Baìo di Sampeyre" was one of the most important and ancient traditional festivals in the Italian Alps. Elements of a historical and fantastical nature intertwine, overlapping: it narrates that arou...nd the year one thousand, in the alpine valleys, the raids of the Saracen hordes from Provence brought destruction and deaths, such that the inhabitants of the valleys revolted by organizing themselves into popular armies. The event takes place over three days, festival’s actors are all inhabitants of the valley – but strictly male only – in the garments of the numerous and colorful characters: from Harlequins to Cellarmen, from the Old Man and the Old Woman, to the Turks, from the various Armies, to the Newly-Weds, to the Lords. The “Sonaudur” (players) are the mainstay of the Baio and enliven the procession and the dances by playing day and night. 

from www.piemonteitalia.eu & www.wikipedia.org