The Bauta is the traditional Venetian Carnival mask whose projecting chin lets the wearer talk, eat and drink.
Unlike a simple flat eye mask, the Bauta covers much of the face but has a forward-projecting, beak-like chin and no conventional mouth opening. That shape leaves enough space for the wearer’s jaw to move, allowing conversation and refreshments without removing the disguise. Preserving anonymity while remaining practical helped make the Bauta especially distinctive.
In 18th-century Venice, the Bauta was commonly worn with a black cape called a tabarro and a hood or neck covering known as a zendale; a tricorn hat was also associated with the ensemble. Venetian authorities regulated its use, and it was required at some political gatherings so participants could act anonymously and, in theory, as social equals.
The alternatives are different mask traditions. Pantalone represents a character from Italian theater, Colombina is a half-mask associated with the commedia dell’arte, and the Moretta muta is a small oval mask traditionally held in place by a button gripped between the teeth. The Bauta’s functional chin is the identifying clue.