Mask for the Commedia dell'Arte character Pulcinella
Mask
1700-1725 (made)
1700-1725 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This moulded leather mask for the character of Pulcinella dates from the early 18th century and was used by an Italian Commedia dell'arte troupe. Pulcinella was traditionally a stupid servant, recognisable from his big beaky nose, hunchback and the wart on his forehead. The character developed in the 17th century, becoming more interesting and more diverse.
By the time this mask was made, Pulcinella was not necessarily a servant, but might be a peasant, a dentist, a physician, a painter or a soldier. The mask also changed. Whereas earlier versions had a moustache and beard hiding most of the actor's face, this is a half-mask. While some of the old Commedia dell'arte characters incluing Arlecchino and Colombina were adopted in England into early pantomime (as Harlequin and Columbine) and survived in the 'harlequinade' section of later pantomimes, Pulcinella was not. However he has survived in the UK in the form of Mr Punch in Punch and Judy shows.
The mask as made by the 'cuir-bouilli' or 'boiled leather' process during which soaked, treated and tanned leather is moulded and dried in a wooden form.
By the time this mask was made, Pulcinella was not necessarily a servant, but might be a peasant, a dentist, a physician, a painter or a soldier. The mask also changed. Whereas earlier versions had a moustache and beard hiding most of the actor's face, this is a half-mask. While some of the old Commedia dell'arte characters incluing Arlecchino and Colombina were adopted in England into early pantomime (as Harlequin and Columbine) and survived in the 'harlequinade' section of later pantomimes, Pulcinella was not. However he has survived in the UK in the form of Mr Punch in Punch and Judy shows.
The mask as made by the 'cuir-bouilli' or 'boiled leather' process during which soaked, treated and tanned leather is moulded and dried in a wooden form.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Mask for the Commedia dell'Arte character Pulcinella (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | This mask was produced using a process of moulding leather known as ‘cuir bouilli’. By this process, tanned leather is soaked in water until it becomes highly pliable. The leather can then be moulded by hand in a press or over wooden forms. This mask would have been moulded over a wooden form.
An example of such a wooden form (used to produce Harlequin masks) can be found in the collections of the Palais Galliera, in its Bibliothèque-musée de l'Opéra - MUSEE-34 (1). |
| Brief description | Moulded leather mask, upper portion of a man's face with hooked nose, probably the Commedia dell'Arte character Pulcinella. Italy, early 18th century |
| Physical description | Moulded leather mask depicting the upper portion of a face with a distinctive protruding nose and a lump on the left temple. Two round eyeholes have been cut out of the leather and there is a tie attached to one side of the mask. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by Charles R Beard |
| Object history | In his article A 'Pulcinella' Mask (The Connoisseur, January 1930), the donor, Charles R. Beard describes the mask as 'recently acquired in London, but its earlier history is unknown. Another mask, taken from the same mould, was recorded as being in the Mariano Andreu Collection, where it is attributed as being for a Neopolitan Pulcinella but what evidence this is based upon is unknown. The Palais Galliera holds two similarly-produced leather masks for the character of Harlequin (Arlequin) in its Bibliothèque-musée de l'Opéra. Numbers: BMO MUS 297 (2) & BMO MUSEE-35 (1) They also have the accompanying wooden mould used to produce one of the masks: MUSEE-34 (1). The workmanship of these masks is comparatively crude in comparison to the V&A's mask. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This moulded leather mask for the character of Pulcinella dates from the early 18th century and was used by an Italian Commedia dell'arte troupe. Pulcinella was traditionally a stupid servant, recognisable from his big beaky nose, hunchback and the wart on his forehead. The character developed in the 17th century, becoming more interesting and more diverse. By the time this mask was made, Pulcinella was not necessarily a servant, but might be a peasant, a dentist, a physician, a painter or a soldier. The mask also changed. Whereas earlier versions had a moustache and beard hiding most of the actor's face, this is a half-mask. While some of the old Commedia dell'arte characters incluing Arlecchino and Colombina were adopted in England into early pantomime (as Harlequin and Columbine) and survived in the 'harlequinade' section of later pantomimes, Pulcinella was not. However he has survived in the UK in the form of Mr Punch in Punch and Judy shows. The mask as made by the 'cuir-bouilli' or 'boiled leather' process during which soaked, treated and tanned leather is moulded and dried in a wooden form. |
| Bibliographic reference | A 'Pulcinella' Mask, an article by the donor, Charles R. Beard, was published in The Connoisseur, January 1930. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.60-1929 |
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| Record created | July 1, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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