It’s the last thing I shout to Garry as he leaves the house and the first thing I think about before I do; Don't forget your mask! Who would have thought it just a few months ago we would all be packing a face mask in our bags or pockets before we leave home? (Along with the hand sanitiser of course). The wearing of face masks is a contentious issue for many, but now the wearing of them in certain places is written into law and is becoming part of our everyday life. Just for the time being hopefully.
So with masks in mind I thought I would do a little research and take a brief look into the history of the face mask. Well it has turned into a fascinating mornings research for me and I have had trouble keeping my blog down to a few minutes reading time because I could have written so much more. Instead I have given details of any interesting sites I have used so if you wish you can investigate further.
Apparently and according to Wikipedia the earliest recorded face mask-like objects in history date back to the 6th century bce (bc). Some images of people wearing cloth over their mouths were found on the doors of Persian tombs. Wikipedia also has a page that explains in China, masks are thought to have originated in ancient religious ceremonies. Images of people wearing masks have been found in rock paintings along the Yangtze. Later masks bring together myths and symbols from shamanism and Buddhism. (Mask Wikipedia)
Of course face mask armour was used for protection in battle from the Samurai, through to the Anglo Saxons. I vividly remember going to see the beautiful Anglo Saxon Helmet at Sutton Hoo, with its face covering and I am sure we all remember our old history lessons with the Knights in their armour.
A physician wearing a 17th century plague preventive.
History books discussing the plague often include a picture of the Plague Doctor in his preventative face mask, rather scary looking too. Can't imagine what that would do for your morale if he turned up to you on your sick bed.
Famous Highwaymen were always depicted in their face masks to hide their identities and with wondrous names like Sixteen String Jack and we have all heard of Dick Turpin. Thus conjuring up a rather romantic image in some instances but hiding the identity behind the mask and the violent truth behind many of their actions.
Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
Wellcome Institute
The use of masks in a modern medical sense The Lancet.com explains was noted with Johann Mikulicz, head of the surgery department of the University of Breslau who started to wear a face mask in 1897 as did the Parisian Surgeon Paul Berger and studies of various photographs taken between 1863 and 1969 of surgeons operating in hospitals, surprisingly show over two thirds of them wore masks. I thought there might be a higher percentage by the late 60's. The first more prevalent use of a mask was during the Manchurian Plague of 1910-1911 and then the Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1918-1918 these events turned the use of the face mask into a recognised means of protecting medical workers.
Gas Masks are synonymous with WW2 and the Home Front, every one was issued with a gas mask carried in a box. A time when even small babies had their own mini ventilators, covering them from head to toe.
During WW1 the soldiers in the trenches were issued with masks to offer them some protection from the German Gas attacks. Which reminds me of the Wilfred Owen Poem, Dulce et Decorum Est:-
'Gas! Gas! Quick Boys! An ecstasy of fumbling,
Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time;
Gas Mask Germany 1915-1918
Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
Wellcome Collection
Of course alongside the seriousness of war there were always the cartoons to raise a smile and keep the morale high.
An ex-soldier entering a dentist's surgery with his gas mask on - for his operation with gas. Line block after C. Graves, 1934..
Some masks however, have been worn to represent malignant, evil, or potentially harmful spirits. These are often used to keep a required balance of power or a traditional social and political relationship of inherited positions within a culture according to The wearing of Masks Britannica
To move away from evil spirits, power and war I discovered an unusual use of rubber masks to promote the body beautiful and remove wrinkles and blemishes apparently. Looks more like torture to me!
Photograph, ca. 1921.. Credit: Wellcome Collection.
Masks and goggles being worn for proection against light and heat.
Credit: Wellcome Collection.
Then of course you have the great Masquerade Balls so popular during the Elizabethan period and surprisingly part of life in the court of Henry VIII too. Basically it appears that wearing a mask allows the wearer to behave perhaps in a way they would not normally! I think we all get the gist.
Another interesting use of masks during this period was the Elizabethan Masque on the other hand was a lavish, dramatic entertainment often spoken in verse, usually performed by masked, disguised players representing mythological or allegorical figures.
Makers of Authentic Venetian masks and costumes and their website also includes A History of Venetian Masks
There is so much information out there about the Venetian mask and its history I thought it better to leave you with just a couple of websites I found on the subject.
This fascinating website details what the Venetian Masquerade styles are and is worth a look
The wearing of masks has also been used in literature over the centuries. Shakespeare uses masks in some of his works to create confusion, promote comedy or hide the true character of someone. Thinking particularly of Romeo and Juliet and Much ado about Nothing. Apparently even the Roman writers used masks in their writings.
Back to today and the ongoing pandemic and the mask is seen primarily as an item that can offer some protection from the spread of harmful viruses and bacteria. The entrepreneurial amongst us have already produced an array of designs so we can now buy masks in all shapes, sizes, colours and designs. You can buy them to support charities, see through for lip reading and if you are really posh even get yourself a designer model.
So whatever your thoughts are on the current mandatory use of masks, the history of their use is without doubt fascinating and goes back as far as the 6th century bce (bc). So wearing them is nothing new, they come in all guises, are used in many situations and represent many different things and without doubt can be a fashion statement too.
I hope you enjoyed my quick, pared down blog on the brief history of masks as much as I did researching it.
Thanks for taking the time to read it. See you again soon.
Fascinating