Doll News Winter 2015 - (Page 148)
MASQUERADE
The History of
Costume Balls and Fancy Dress
by AnneLise Wilhelmsen
F
or as long as masks have existed, intrigue has been
linked to their use. How could it be otherwise, when
nearly anything imaginable can be hidden by them?
Plain women can be beautiful, vagabonds can be kings, and
at the end of an evening who really knows what has happened
between whom under the cover of darkness? The stories are
endlessly captivating!
King Gustav of Sweden was assassinated at a masquerade
ball in 1792, as part of a coup attempt. And Marie Antoinette
was famous for fleeing the confines of Versailles to attend the
costumed balls of the Paris Opera House, where she and her
ladies in waiting could frolic freely. Masquerade attire has even
been used to communicate not-so-subtle messages to enemies,
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WINTER 2015
as in the case of Countess Castiglione of Italy, the mistress of
Napoleon III. Her appearance with him at an 1857 ball created
an enormous scandal. Of course she was above caring about
the opinions of all but one, the Empress Eugenie, whose fury
was exactly what the countess was hoping for when she arrived
dressed as the Queen of Hearts.
The earliest use of costumes for entertainment was likely
during medieval times, as part of royal court life. But by the
Renaissance masquerade balls had become more democratic
affairs, particularly in Venice. During the weeks between
Twelfth Night and the beginning of Lent, normally strict social
constraints were bypassed as costumed revelers filled the
streets, allowing the classes to mix and mingle freely behind
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Doll News Winter 2015
From the Editor
UFDC Offi cers and Regional Directors
President’s Message
UFDC Conference Calendar
A Warm Welcome to Our Newest Members
A Dream Come True, UFDC’s 66th Annual Convention Information and the 2015 UFDC National Convention Registration Card
2015 UFDC National Competitive Exhibit Early Information
Fundraising Committee Report
Marianna’s Gift: The Hands that Heal
Marianna Original Paper Doll
Wonderful Japanese Kokeshi Dolls
Alien (Heads) or The Invasion of the (Peg Wooden) Body Snatchers
The Ralph Waldo Emerson Family Dolls
Louisa May Alcott, Madame Alexander and the Little Women Dolls
Hepzibah’s Milkmaids – The Dolls of The House of the Seven Gables
A Child A Doll A Portrait
Shared Passions 2014 UFDC Special Exhibit The Wild West
Shared Passions 2014 UFDC Special Exhibit Dianna Effner
Shared Passions 2014 UFDC Antique Competitive Exhibit Part 1
Shared Passions 2014 UFDC Modern Competitive Exhibit Part 1
Shared Passions 2014 UFDC In Appreciation
The Art of Technology
Painted Perfection – The Story of Susan Fosnot
Masquerade - The History of Costume Balls and Fancy Dress
Go Ahead, Make a Scene! Creative Collecting, Part 1
Club Notes
Reviewing Resources
Milestones
UFDC Awards of Excellence Nomination Information and Form
Donations
Doll-ers & Sense
In Our Memories
News & Notes
Member-At-Large Form
Doll News Winter 2015
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