Domino mask

A domino mask (from Latin dominus, "lord", and Medieval Latin masca, "specter") is a small, often rounded mask covering only the eyes and the space between them. The masks likely date to antiquity, but have seen special prevalence since the 18th century, where they have become traditional wear in particular local manifestations of Carnival. The name is associated in particular with Venetian Carnival, deriving from the Latin in relation to domini, for their resemblance to the winter hoods of French priests, and were a part of a larger domino costume, often in black, and including cape and other features. Differentiation between domino and the more fully covering Columbina types of masks (also fully covering nose, and at least part of the cheeks) is not clearly delineated in the literature, and so there is some ambiguity in assigning masks between near categories. Even so, masks that are clearly of the domino type have found their way into a variety of high and popular art forms, and are associated with various intrigues and scandals in history. In popular culture, in a simple, rounded, unadorned black form, it is also sometimes known as a burglar or bandit mask.