One day, while wondering the back alleys of Venice looking for anything unusual, I spotted a golden leaf carnival mask in the window of a small shop. I entered -- the air smelled of paint, turpentine and paper mache` -- and the walls were jammed pack with masks, each one unique, all were beautiful, and so different from anything I had seen anywhere! I soon learned that I had stumbled into the magical world of the brothers Massimo and Sergio Boldrin -- famous for their creation of the masks for the Krubrick movie, Eyes Wide Shut! [It's a mask whose eyes are always wide open yet unable to see!]

As it turns out the Boldrin brothers have a small (very small) shop at the foot of the famed Rialto Bridge,
La Bottega dei Mascareri, opened in 1984. Here they offer authentic masks worked in a centuries-old craft of paper mache`, glue and paint. The walls seem held up by the silent faces of medieval figures from the Court Jongleurs to the Mythic Folletti; as well as a variety of eighteenth-century Venetian commedia dell’arte characters -- Pantalone, Arlecchini and Zanni. These hand crafted works are collected all over Europe, employed in international fashion design displays, film and, of course, in theatre productions all over the world.

I feel fortunate to offer these beautiful works of art -- in a wide range of prices -- plus, each one is dated and signed. They add so much to any space where they are displayed, which is the first thing you will notice when visiting our cozy shop in historic Snohomish.

You may read about visiting Snohomish in the Seattle PI, which states:
"One of the biggest surprises is Casa e Cucina Francesca, which sells sophisticated Italian imports. Located in an old barbershop at 1206 1/2 First St., it specializes in stainless steel, stovetop espresso-makers and handmade Carnival masks from Venice."
  READ THE ARTICLE HERE...

Plus, you are invited to call us during our store hours for more information from a real person answering the phone! 360.563.9440.