Stained Glass: History of Stained Glass Art

If you're a churchgoing person, then you're more than familiar with stained glass windows. These pieces make up a huge percentage of religious artwork, and depict scenes from the Bible and important religious figures. They were the photographs of their time: a historical record of important events for all to see, which was important as most of the population was illiterate. The history of stained and colored glass artwork is long and interesting, dating back to the beginnings of the last millennium.

Alas, the first of these windows is lost to history, and their origins can only be debated. Mosaics and jewelry makers are credited with developing the technique that created colored glass art as we know it, which arose during an increase in church construction. However, colored glass had been produced since the days of the Egyptian and Roman empires, both of which surpassed others when it came to manufacturing small, stained glass objects.

Churches caught onto the beauty of this art in the 4th and 5th centuries during the rise of church building, and many windows from this time period remain. British churches and monasteries began to adopt stained glass windows as part of their decor in the 7th century, when French workmen began to glaze the windows of monasteries.

Stained glass reached its acme in the Middle Ages. It served a two-fold purpose: 1. It was beautiful to look at and 2. Since most citizens couldn't read the Bible, the window art served as a television of sorts by illustrating the events to the illiterate. The pieces from this era have become known as the "Poor Man's Bible." This trend continued into the Gothic Era, when architectural design forced windows to grow larger, giving artists more of a canvas to work on.

The style didn't change much through the Renaissance, but the French Revolution and Reformation saw the destruction of many windows, which were replaced with plain glass. This rampage caused the traditional methods of colored glass work to be forgotten until the early 19th Century, when the Catholic revival renewed interest and many works were restored. The revival extended all over Europe, most notably in Britain and France. During this same period, John La Farge and Louis Comfort Tiffany applied and received patents for using opalescent glass to create a new form of stained glass windows, and the process extended to lamps, art and other pieces.

The 20th Century saw more stained glass tragedies and innovations. World War II left many European church windows destroyed, and artists led in restoring the thousands decimated by bombings. The period also saw slab glass in concrete become popular, as well as modern art styles creeping their way into stained glass art. Now, colored glass art can be found in churches, sculptures, public buildings and businesses all over the world.

Stained glass seller Egyptian Blue Art has a wide variety of colored glass lampshades and art pieces for purchase. Visit EgyptianBlueArt.com to view the items.

Thom Casey independently author's articles for WebDrafter.com, Inc. http://www.webdrafter.com/ for SEM clients. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those solely of the author, and not of any other person, company, or organization. No guarantee or warranty, express or implied, is made regarding the accuracy, fitness, or use of the content herein.

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History of the Mermaid

Mythological creatures have fascinated the world for centuries. Mermaids are one of the most fantasized mythological beings. Today's image of mermaid is generally that of a beautiful woman who is half human and half fish. The sea dwelling creatures are often depicted wearing nothing but seashell bikini tops with long, flowing hair. There are numerous Hollywood movies and cartoons based on the belief that these mythological creatures are real and living in the oceans all over the world.

The beings are first mentioned in the first century by a Roman author named Pliny the Elder. In his writings, he referred to an animal that had the body of a snake and wore a crown. The creature is often referred to as a basilisk. That original description evolved into the body of a snake with a human head. Legends rapidly surrounded the mythical being, and many were terrified of the basilisk. It was said a simple look from the animal could kill a man. Historians speculate that while at sea, Pliny actually saw what we know today as a Manatee.

By the fifth century, the mermaid had become widely known as a creature that was half woman and half fish. During this period, they were depicted as very unattractive. As the centuries passed the mermaids were viewed in an entirely different light. The medieval times resulted in Christianity clashing with pagan beliefs. Christians used their influence to change people's perception about a number of mythical creatures. The mermaids were described as beautiful creatures who were very promiscuous. The wanton sea dwellers used their wiles to lure seamen off of their ships and ultimately to their death. This legend earned the creature the dubious siren title.

Throughout history, the so called sirens are often mentioned by various men in positions of power. Christopher Columbus and Henry Hudson both report they witnessed the phenomenon while at sea. Each has a different opinion about how the mermaid looked but both agree they were not quite as gorgeous as had been believed. This is about the time the purported man killers evolved into playful creatures who lived under the sea. Numerous reports include the capture and subsequent death of the sea creatures.

Sightings were frequently reported along coastlines across the world. Men and women claim to have seen the lasses casually combing their hair while perched on a rock. Some have claimed to see the elusive merman as well. Today the interest in the mythological beings is still very high.

For more great stuff on Fantasy, Mythology and Magic visit us at http://www.thefantasymythicalmagic.com/.

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History of the Pegasus

Pegasus, the beautiful winged horse of Greek mythology, was born in violence. His sire was the god of the sea, Poseidon. His mother was the gorgon Medusa.

The story that unfolds is a tale of lust, envy and pride.

Medusa rivaled the goddess Athena in beauty. Medusa's pride was her mane of golden curls. Athena envied her beauty.

Poseidon, the brother of Zeus and Hades, ruled the sea, storms, earth and horses. He was violent, lusty and self centered.

Poseidon saw the beautiful Medusa worshipping in the temple of Athena. Captivated by her sweet face and glorious, golden ringlets, Poseidon seduced and raped Medusa in the temple. The chaste Athena averted her eyes, but envious of Medusa's beauty and angered by the desecration of her temple, Athena enacted her revenge on Medusa by turning her face ugly and her curls to snakes. She cursed Medusa so that anyone looking upon her would be turned to stone.

A young hero named Perseus was the son of Danae, a king's daughter, and Zeus, the god of all the gods. Wanting Danae for his wife, King Polydectes devised a ruse to send Perseus to his death. He sent Perseus to kill Medusa expecting the lad himself to be killed. Zeus realizing this, sent Athena and Hermes to help Perseus in the attempt. With their help he was successful.

Perseus cut off the head of Medusa. As he was putting the head into his knapsack he saw an amazing birth. A tiny winged horse and Chrysaor, his brother, sprang from the blood flowing from the neck of Medusa.

The winged horse flew to Mount Helicon, home of the nine muses. The magical and playful horse lived free. He helped the muses, even creating Hippocrene a gushing, magical spring for them.

The Greek hero Bellerophon captured the winged horse with a magical golden bridle given to him by Athena. He rode Pegasus to slay the monster Chimera.

Bellerophon desired to fly to Mount Olympus, home of the gods. This angered Zeus and he send a fly to bite the flying horse. The horse bolted and Bellerophon was thrown. The winged horse continued his flight alone. His task was to carry the thunderbolts of Zeus across the sky.

Pegasus can be seen grazing in the night sky. Look for the 4 bright stars forming a square and the stars that form the bend of his neck.

For more great stuff on Fantasy, Mythology and Magic visit us at http://www.thefantasymythicalmagic.com/.

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A Short History of the Dragon

The dragon is one of the most widely recognized creatures on Earth, yet there is no real evidence that they existed. They are known in just about every culture around the world and have been detailed in carvings and paintings for thousands of years. They have even been seen in the Heavens as the constellation of Draco.

Humans have been pulling gigantic bones out of the Earth for thousands of years but it wasn't until the 18th and 19th centuries that they were determined to be ancient mega fauna. There is an on-going theory that the bones of creatures such as Woolly Rhino and Mastodons were what people thought of as being their mythological beasts and great heroes.

Some of the earliest depictions of dragons appeared more like snakes than winged beasts. The Assyrians worshiped a snake-like deity called Tiamat, while the Babylonians worshiped a figure called Marduk which can still be seen on the ancient Gate of Nineveh. There are even references to these creatures in the Judeo-Christian bible. In the book of Genesis Adam and Eve are confronted by the serpent of the garden, while the book of Job describes a fire-breathing beast called the Leviathan.

To the people of China, dragons are both real and a sign of good luck. There are four different varieties of Chinese dragons and each protects a different region of existence, such as the underworld and the realm of the gods. They are more serpentine than most other versions and are rarely portrayed with wings. They are said to be created from nine different animals, including the camel and the carp.

Many European countries know the story of St. George and the Dragon. They say that a knight named George travels to a town where all the maidens are being sacrificed to a fierce beast. St. George rides in and slays the animal and saves the town from certain doom. Though there are a few variations from region to region, they are all basically the same. Many of these regions believed in these tales so much so that their coat of arms depict these animals.

In recent years, the dragon has found a resurgence in popularity. From board and video games to epic movies and television shows, these majestic animals have found a way to survive. Whether real or not, the fascination for these creatures lives on in a whole generation and will more than likely carry on for many more to come.

For more great stuff on Fantasy, Mythology and Magic visit us at http://www.thefantasymythicalmagic.com/.

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History of Ancient Egyptian Glass

This article briefly goes over the history of Egyptian glass. They were one of the first recorded in history to make glass for utilitarian and aesthetic purposes.

Lucky for us, many Egyptian glass works are preserved well, because of their culture of burying the worldly goods of the dead and the dry climate that prevents decay.

Egyptians were very ahead of the game regarding glass making; they knew before 3000 BC how to use glaze techniques. In the early periods, they created glass pieces modeled after stone or ceramic objects. They also created glass beads, which were highly prized, almost as much as gold and precious stones. Egyptians were also active in the trade of glass objects so that they could spread their techniques and style.

Glass vessels in the round, hollow form that we know appear only after 1500 BC, and it is thought that the conquest of Near Eastern lands triggered the sudden appearance of glass vessels in Egypt.

One common method of glassmaking used by Egyptians was "Cire perdue." The piece was modeled in wax, and then covered with clay. Then the wax would be melted and poured away, so that the gap could be re-filled with molten glass.

Another, most common method was molting glass on a core. A core (made of clay, mud, or straw) in the shape of the desired piece was formed on a metal rod. Then, the core was dipped into molten glass. When the walls of the core with added glass became thick, the object was marvered and annealed. Lastly, the core was removed, leaving a rough interior.

Sky blue and dark blue were some popular colors for glass in Egypt, together with grey, yellow, white, and orange. In later periods, red, green, and violet also appeared and added more variety for the tastes of the wealthy.

Unfortunately, Egyptian glassmaking depended greatly on political circumstances as it frequently does in any other country; thus, between 1200BC and 900BC when the country was in decline, there is little development in glass production.

Later under Alexander the Great and the city of Alexandria, where many Egyptian craftsmen worked, the glass industry flourished again. Alexandria became a center of glassmaking, and Greek culture is also reflected in its style.

In 27 BC Egypt was eventually conquered by the Romans, but its glassmaking style remained for a time after that. Through Roman conquests and trade Egyptian (Alexandrian) glassware was exported throughout the empire.

Interested in beautiful yet practical glassware? Find out more about exquisite hand blown glass vases, bowls, paperweights.

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Native American Lances Throughout History

The Native American lance was a weapon used both against other men and against animals during hunting events. Warfare played an important role in Native American life, and the lance was the weapon of choice for this activity. Originally, lances consisted of a length of sturdy wood with a tip of obsidian, flint, or copper. Later, stronger iron or steel tips were used. Besides being used as a weapon of war, Native American lances were also used for hunting. A well thrown lance could bring down a buffalo, deer, or antelope with no trouble.

The tradition is still carried on by Indian artisans, even though lances are no longer used for purposes of raids or warfare. Reflected in the construction of each lance, is the affinity of the Native American to nature. A tip of flint or iron is carefully attached to a length of strong, straight wood. The shaft of the lance is often wrapped with leather in order to provide more strength. Items that may be used for adorning the lance could be such things as feathers, calico, bits of fur, or important totemic pieces.

We are able to imagine a group of Indian hunters, mounted upon their horses, galloping in hot pursuit of a small herd of buffalo. The distance is quickly closed between the hunters and the prey. The very long hunting lance, sixteen feet long or more is ready. The needs of the tribe are met once again, as the lance is thrust into the buffalo's body. The hunting lance was normally about twice as long as a lance which was used for warfare. The war lance could either be thrown at an enemy or used in closer combat. The enemy could be kept at bay, fearing the mighty lance.

The proud culture of the Native American is reflected in lances made to this day. Centuries worth of knowledge has taught the hands of the artist how to properly craft a unique lance. The wood is chosen with care and the entire lance is constructed with tradition and quality in mind. A Native American lance can serve as a centerpiece for a collection of Indian artifacts. The size of the lance makes it a weapon that is to be taken seriously. There are a variety of styles of lances from which to choose, in order to provide a focal point for your living room wall. To the home decorated in a western, southwest or rustic theme, a Native American lance above the fireplace will add the perfect finishing touch.

Author Craig Chambers offers more about Native American Lances on his website. You can also get his monthly newsletter, online discounts and download his popular free ebook from http://www.missiondelrey.com/.

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History of Ancient Roman Glass

The term "Roman glass" is a very broad, general term, and refers to a specific age under Roman rule as opposed to a specific area. The Roman Empire was so vast that there were many different styles coexisting within its realm, even though a unifying "Roman" theme can be recognized throughout the pieces.

In the 1st century BC, glassblowing was invented in Syria. In the same period, the Roman Empire was founded, and through its conquests and trade it subsequently spread a unique culture.

Alexandria and Syria exported their glassware to Rome, from which the works were then brought to Roman colonies in Europe. Thus, Rome was critical in spreading the art of glassmaking to Europe.

In 1st century AD, large scale glass manufacturing occurred in Syria, Palestine, and Alexandria. One Syrian glassmaker called Ennion even left his name on his glassware. Generally, Syrian glassmakers often produced utilitarian glassware, while Alexandrian glassmakers focused on luxury objects. Many also moved to Italy and other Roman colonies, and glass houses spread quickly through Europe. Soon, Cologne would be a glassmaking center as important as Alexandria. The styles of these different locations were very similar to each other.

Like this, the Roman period started an unprecedented flourishing in the glass industry, during which even the common people began to have access to glassware. Some household glass types that were commonly used were janus flasks, which displayed the head of persons on a flask, and victory cups, with laurels and inscriptions for decoration. Mirrors and windows were also produced using glass.
Artistic glass also continued to be produced. For example, cage cups, which were bowls or cups with rounded sides, were created. These cups had pierced decorations attached by struts. This decoration was not fused to the surface; instead, the entire object was created out of a solid block of glass by under-cutting. Because the process is so complex, surviving pieces are very rare and it is difficult to reproduce even today.

After the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century, the glass industry also suffered a dramatic decline. With arts and crafts, there is a general tendency to follow the up and downs of politics. This tendency is even more marked in more expensive types of art. Thus, while utilitarian glassware still produced, artistic glassware naturally lacked demand as political and economic circumstances were unstable and people could not afford to buy luxury.

Interested in beautiful yet practical glassware? Find out more about exquisite hand blown glass vases, bowls, paperweights.

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Persian Carpets: A Brief History

A most important part of Persian/ Iranians art and culture, Persian Carpets, has been undoubtedly one of artistic magnificence nurtured for more then 2,500 years. Iranians have achieved a degree of excellence through their centuries of creativity, unmatched imagination and talent. Persian Carpets are an integral part of an Iranian home, which is the most valued possession for Persians.

History

To know the exact history of Persian Carpets, we have to follow a path of cultural growth of one of the greatest civilizations the world has ever known. Many people in Iran have invested their whole wealth in Persian carpets, which is often referred to as an Iranian's stocks and shares. For many centuries, the Persian carpet has received international acknowledgment for its artistic splendor. In palaces, famous building, rich homes and museums throughout the world a Persian carpet is amongst the most treasured possessions. Thus, today Iran produces more carpets than all the other carpet making centers of the world put together.

The history of the carpet is divided into three main periods, i.e., Zoroastrian period, Islamic period & Modern period. All of these periods are elaborated below:

Zoroastrian period

* Unique archaeological excavation in 1949
* Pazyryk carpets were discovered among the ices of Pazyryk Valley, in Altai Mountains in Siberia
* The carpet was found in the grave of a Scythian prince
* Believed that the carpet from Pazyryk is not likely a nomadic product, but a product of the Achaemenid period.
* By the sixth century, Persian carpets of wool or silk were renowned in court circles throughout the region

Islamic period

* The carpets of Khorassan, Sistan and Bukhara, were in high demand among purchasers because of their prominent designs and motifs
* During the reigns of the Seljuq and Ilkhanate dynasties, carpet weaving was still a booming business
* Sheep were specially bred to produce fine wool for weaving carpets
* The earliest surviving of the Persian carpets is of a Safavid (1501-1736) carpet known as the Ardabil Carpet
* The carpets are woven in 1539-40 according to the dated inscriptions
* The foundation of silk and the pile of wool with a knot density of 300-350 knots per square inch
* The size of the carpets were 34? feet by 17? feet ( 10.5 meters ? 5.3 meters)
* There is much variety among classical Persian carpets of the 16th and 17th century

Modern Period

* Iran exported $517 million worth of hand woven carpets in 2002
* Iran's carpet exports amounted to US$635 million in 2005, according to the figures from the state-owned Iran Carpet Company
* In October 2007, National Iranian Carpet Center revealed that hand-woven carpets have ranked first in country's non-oil exports and hold the third position among overall exports

Design & Material Used

The making of Persians Carpets is done using traditional styles and patterns used by the ancestors of weavers or designers. This traditional way of designing is used for simple rectilinear designs. While, for elaborate curvilinear designs, the patter are carefully drawn to scale in the proper colors on graph paper. Each square on graph paper becomes a knot, which allows an accurate rendition of even the most complex design. With the change in creativity, imaginations and thoughts, little change has been observed in art of weaving. Today, computers are used in the production of scale drawings for the weavers.

The use of quality material help in weaving most impressive and eye catching range of Carpets that is widely demanded for its durability, strechability and design. Some of the material is listed below:

* Wool: kork wool, manchester wool & camel hair wool
* Cotton
* Silk

PS: To know more about it, plese click on Persian carpets

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Buttons - History Up to the 18th Century

Apart from the fabric (and the tag), what do you usually see on your clothes? It is probably the most common embellishment it. You may not have noticed it because of its functionality. You don't really think of it as an extra or notice the design.

Give up? It's the button.

The word comes from France, bouton. It means a bud, protuberance or a round object. It's a very descriptive word for the object itself. The button is usually used as a small fastener in clothes. Sometimes, it is an ornament. It adorns clothes, sheets, bags, wallets and upholstery. Modern buttons are commonly made of plastic.

But when the button was invented, plastic did not exist yet. The first button was used over 4,000 years ago during the Bronze Age. Artifacts could be seen in the ancient civilizations of the Indus Valley, China and Rome. These ancient buttons were made from seashell but other natural materials were used too, like bone, wood, horn and metal. They weren't used to fasten garments then. They were purely for ornamentation. Our ancestors used belts or pins to fasten clothes.

As time passed, someone, somewhere, we know not who, invented the buttonhole. The button-buttonhole pairing made an ornamental fashion into a practical fastener. What we are sure of is that by 1200 CE the button and buttonhole arrived in Europe. Like almost everything useful in Europe during that time, the practical button came from the Middle East. It was brought back by returning Crusaders and it soon became a formidable force in fashion and clothing design.

In the 1200s, Europe began preferring tight fit clothes and more delicate fabrics. Pins were too inconvenient but the button was just perfect. The Button Makers Guild was founded in France by 1250. Buttons were artistic pieces and social symbols. The aristocrats limited the use of buttons. It was only meant for them.

In the following century, button use expanded. Buttonholes covered almost covered the clothes. France was the button capital of Europe and profited a lot from this craze. The Church couldn't let people enjoy a fad without comment so it declared that the button was the devil's snare, referring to ladies with lavishly buttoned bosoms. Buttons burdened clothes so much that aristocrats hired professional dressers. In 1520, King Francis I of France wore a black velvet suit with 13,400 gold buttons. He paraded it in a meeting with King Henry VII of England who also wore a button-filled suit. By the 1600s, diamond buttons were the rage. The First Duke of Buckingham ordered a suit and cloak covered in diamond buttons in 1620. Louis XIV spent $600,000 in buttons alone for one year.

However, the enemies of buttons were gaining steam. Puritans denounced the button and called it sinful too. In the 16th century, an overwhelming number of buttons were no longer seen as necessary to high fashion. Button makers made more lavishly decorated buttons in gold and ivory. In order for more people to avoid buttons, cheaper materials were used by the 17th century. Buttons were made in silver and ceramics.

By the 18th century, large metal buttons became popular, especially in uniforms. Under Napoleon's reign, tunics sported sleeve buttons. Double-breasted jackets were developed. These were jackets that you could wear on both sides, with buttons to match. If one side grew dirty, flip them over and wear the clean one!

Jonathan Russell is an artist and blogger that has been writing articles on many different topics for the last 2 years. You can find him contributing articles at Beginning Quilting Now a website dedicated to helping those who are beginning quilting.

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From Mesopotamia to Mexico - A Brief History of Silver Coins

Silver has been used for many years as a fungible good of exchange and decoration starting with ancient civilizations. While silver was used much earlier for jewelry, Mesopotamian traders collected silver in exchange for their goods as early as 700 B.C. Silver coins and the history associated with them have played a key economic role in the development and growth of civilizations ever since its use in Babylon and Syria. Silver's value is derived from its scarcity. While, it is not as rare as other precious metals such as gold or platinum, its rarity in comparison to other metals like copper and iron ore make silver bullion an ideal metal for use in currency. While it will tarnish over time, its durability as a metal makes it ideal as a lasting currency that can be exchanged from person to person over many years.

There are many ancient civilizations known for their silver coin production. Chinese coins are regarded for their age and are known to be some of the oldest silver coins available. They often depict pictures of various emperors and can be identified according to dynasty. Greek silver coins were known to be hand milled and had many intricate designs on them. These coins were only produced into the first century A.D. The Romans began production of silver coins around 200 B.C. and they modeled their methods after the Greek coin makers. An interesting fact about Roman coins is they could never depict the face of someone who was still alive. Islamic silver coins were produced after the 7th century A.D., this included the Ottoman Empire. Many rulers had several coins produced during their reign so; a great variety of styles can be seen in these coins.

The discovery of the New World in 1492 was boon for Europe in regards to silver production. Major deposits of silver were found in Mexico, Bolivia, and Peru; and are still mined today. Mining and production of silver was so prodigious at this time that it is estimated that 25% of the world's silver supply available today was mine in this period of 1492 to 1770. This is an impressive amount of mining considering the technology available at this time coupled with the fact that mainly deposits close to the surface were harvested.

Silver coins helped America develop its economy. The United States in 1792 fixed the price of silver in relation to gold and made it part of the nation's currency. This fixed price economic model meant that the value of silver could easily be calculated and there was no need to worry about a varying value for silver as in today's market. The American Eagle Silver Dollar was minted from this time period up until is discontinuation in 1965. Today silver is mined as a byproduct of other metals. Mines extract silver from gold, zinc, lead, and copper mines. Recycling programs also exist to replenish silver sources. In 1986 the U.S. Mint began producing American Eagle Silver Dollars again for coin collectors. Silver is still widely regarded as a precious metal and is considered a great investment commodity by many.

For more examples of silver bullion coins like the Chinese Panda please visit the provided links.

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The History of Fountains

Centuries ago fountains were connected to springs or aqueducts and thought of as functional water features for drinking and bathing water. In ancient Rome, however, their significance took on an aesthetic value worthy of the most stunning courtyards and gardens in history.

As architects plotted hundreds of acres of gardens throughout the 14th through 18th centuries, artists chiseled away at some of history's most noteworthy fountains. The art of fountain making reached a pinnacle during this time period, and is exemplified in the palaces of 14th century Moorish Spain, the 15th and 16th century Italian Renaissance garden, the fountains of the 17th century Gardens of Versailles, and 17th and 18th century Roman fountains.

Ancient Roman Fountains

The stunning Trevi Fountain in Rome stands 85'Hx65'W. It's the largest Baroque fountain in the city and one of the most famous fountains in Roman history. Legend says that if a visitor throws a coin into the fountain, they will return to Rome. In 1998, this famous work of art was refurbished so visitors can enjoy this historical landmark for many more years.

Moorish Fountains

During the 14th century, the Alhambra palace and fortress complex was built by the Moorish rulers of the Emirate of Granada in Al-Andalus. Over the centuries, the Muslim rulers who have resided in the palace have constructed new additions to the complex. Following the consistent theme of "paradise on earth," they've built fountains with running water, column arcades and reflecting pools for aesthetic and functional purposes.

Italian Renaissance Fountain

One of the most grandiose and preserved Italian Renaissance gardens is the Villa d'Este at Tivoli. It has a network of fountains that are fed by two aqueducts. In the centre of the garden, a walkway of 100 fountains crosses the hillside connecting the Oval Fountain with the Fountain of Rome. Another lane passes by the Fountain of Dragons and joins the Fountain of Prosperpina with the Fountain of the Owl on a lower level.

Gardens of Versailles Fountains

Situated to the west of the Palace of Versailles are the gardens of Versailles. They cover nearly 2,000 acres and exhibit perfectly manicured lawns, parterres, sculptures and fountains. The fountains date back to the time of Louis XIV, and they still use much of the same network of hydraulics. They contribute to making the gardens of Versailles an amazing experience for visitors.

Today's Fountains

Throughout history fountains have maintained their value in relaxing, inviting and communal spaces - indoors and outdoors. The giants of the past will always be a spectacle and a history lesson for us to treasure. Many of today's garden fountain designs are based on elements from historical water features, making them classic and timely.

Fountainbuy.com is dedicated to helping you find products that calm, relax and bring serenity into your life. Whether it's a tabletop fountain, a wall fountain or a garden fountain, our fountains provide you with the soothing feeling flowing water creates. We conduct business via our website and telephone. fountainbuy.com guarantees you will be treated with honesty and respect.

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Venetian Mask History, the Moretta Mask

The Moretta mask is one of the most traditional designs of Venetian masks. Originating in France it was quickly taken up by the fashion conscious Venetian women who loved the way the mask accentuated the soft feminine lines of the female face. Its popularity was short lived as by 1760 it had disappeared.

The Moretta mask was oval in shape with no mouth opening, just eye holes.Traditionally the mask was worn with a veil so giving total anonymity to its wearer. Originally made of black velvet the features are expressionless. It was designed without ties to secure it in place relying Instead on a button a button sewn on the inside of the mask which was clamped in the mouth of the wearer, so keeping the mask in place and rendering the wearer mute. This is why the Moretta mask is also called the Servetta Muta meaning mute maid servant.

The lack of verbal communication this mask imposed meant that Venetian women had to use their body language to communicate. It encouraged coquettish behavior, the tilt of the head,the fluttering of eye lashes, the touch of a hand all became an intricate part of flirtation.Its expressionless face meant that the female wearer had to use her body to communicate, much as a mime artist would today. When worn, the Moretta mask accentuated all the attributes that Venetians considered to be the height of desirability and femininity. 

The moretta mask was worn to gambling houses, for affairs and when visiting convents where vows of silence were observed.

Thankfully todays Moretta masks are designed with ribbon ties to secure it. The button has been left in an era where women's views were seen as unimportant and where they were judged on their physical attributes alone. They can be crafted from leather, cloth or paper mache. Most are still blank in either black or white as tradition dictates. If you wish for one that is a little more decorative there are designs that have been embelished with gilded macrame and crystals. Although not historically correct these do look superb when worn and also make lovely wall decoration. The leather Moretta masks are probably the most comfortable, allowing the skin to breath and molding to the shape of the wearers face.

Although simple in its design and somewhat inconvenient to wear, this mask still holds a fascination for us today. Its expressionless facade imbibes its wearer with an ethereal look which captivates our attention wherever it may be worn.

Mikaela Parry is owner of http://www.venetianmasquerademasks.co.uk/ an online shop specializing in masquerade masks. If you wish to learn more about the fascinating history of Venetian masks or purchase one then please visit our shop.

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