Venetian leather masks · handmade in Modena, Italy
Leather, brought to life.
Not an object. A character.
Italian leather, shaped by hand one piece at a time. Comedy, bestiaries, demons and fantasy creatures: every mask is a one-of-a-kind piece, from cutting to dyeing.
— The gallery —
The catalogue, piece by piece
Click on a mask for a closer look and to find it on Etsy.
— About me —
Every mask starts from a piece of leather, not a mould.
I work Italian leather entirely by hand, from cutting to finishing, drawing on the Commedia dell'arte tradition and on fantasy imagery. No assembly line: every piece you see in the gallery has gone through my own hands, from the first sketch to the final dye.
The leather comes from Tuscany, chosen hide by hide, and is vegetable-tanned in a small workshop in the Modena countryside. The moulds are handmade too and renewed regularly, so every subject keeps its features crisp.
The name plays on two things: the Este, the noble family who once ruled Modena and Ferrara, and the Italian word for "wide awake". Masks with a character of their own, never two alike.
- 01Cutting and shaping the leather
- 02Wet-moulding over the form
- 03Dyeing and finishing
- 04Hand finishing and detailing
— On set —
Our masks in the Novembre music video
Novembre, one of the leading bands of the Italian and European metal scene, chose some of our masks for their "Annoluce" music video.
— Frequently asked questions —
Sizes, materials, care and shipping
What size are the masks?
One size fits all: the leather is flexible and the laces let the mask adapt to any face.
What are they made of?
Genuine leather selected in Tuscany and vegetable-tanned in Emilia, in a small workshop in the Modena countryside. Dyeing and finishing are done by hand.
How can they be used?
They are comfortable to wear, but they are also made to hang on a wall or display as a decorative piece. They have been used for stage shows, photo shoots, music videos and events.
How should I look after them?
Keep them somewhere dry and avoid leaving them out in rain or direct sun for days. Under normal conditions they last for many years.
Do you take custom or bulk orders?
Yes: custom orders and multi-piece supplies can be arranged by messaging through the Etsy shop. It is still handmade work by a single person, so lead times are agreed case by case.
How do I buy one, and how is it shipped?
Every mask is for sale in the Etsy shop, with up-to-date prices, availability and delivery times. They ship in cardboard with protective foam; gift wrapping is not offered.