Tartan face mask with lacing for the Gothic/Punk market, China/UK, 2020 (TRC 2020.3997).A little while ago TRC volunteer, Shelley Anderson, wrote a blog about a number of corona face masks that she had donated to the TRC Leiden, and describing them within the context of different social, economic, ethnic and cultural groups. One of the masks comes from Japan and is made from kimono material (TRC 2020.3771). Another one has a pattern of black and white stripes of a zebra. This mask originates from Kenya (TRC 2020.3759). There are also several ‘Black Lives Matter’ examples from the US (TRC 2020.3769).

Then I wrote a blog about the forthcoming paisley motif exhibition to be held at the TRC in the spring of 2021. In particular I talked about some Steampunk garments, notably a corset, shirt and coat, which we had acquired for the exhibition. These items were made from different forms of paisley cloth.

And then we were told about some Steampunk corona face masks and I could not resist ordering a few. We bought them from Violent Delights, a UK shop with a range of intriguing garments for the Steampunk and Gothic worlds.

Face mask with a black-and-red scroll design for the Gothic Regency market, China/UK 2020 (TRC 2020.3996).The ‘simplest’ mask (TRC 2020.3996) is made from a black and red material with an intricate scroll design, it is advertised as being particularly suitable for men. The second version (TRC 2020.3997) is made from a tartan material and has wide, black ‘corset’ lacing down the front, more precisely over the nose and mouth. Slightly disturbing yet fun at the same time.

The third example (TRC 2020.3996) is a must-have for me, as it reflects a deep seated interest of mine, namely the history, the differences and the use of face veils by women in the Islamic world (Vogelsang -Eastwood and Vogelsang, Covering the Moon, Peeters, Leuven, 2008). This subject provides a very different resonance over the last nine months now that most of us have experience of wearing face covers of some form or other.

Steampunk/Lolita face mask, China/UK 2020 (TRC 2020.3995).But back to the third Steampunk mask cum veil (not a phrase I thought I would be uttering a year ago). I must admit I am not sure whether to class this example as a veil or a mask, as it is decorated with a swath of black machine lace, a cloth flower and black feathers. It brings a smile to my face!

I am sure that over the next few months we will be adding more examples to the TRC corona face masks collection. They reflect a plethora of developments that have changed the world in such an incredibly short period of time. What will people in fifty years time think of these items and the vast, complex and sad stories they represent? And would it mean anything by then to know that all three face masks sold by Violent Delights, were produced in China?

Oh and yes, there are also some examples of corona face masks (TRC 2020.3692a) decorated with the paisley motif in this section of the TRC’s collection!

Gillian Vogelsang, 8 October 2020.