Masquerade Ticket

Ticket for a Masquerade.

The tradition of masquerades was introduced to English society from Italy “where it had evolved from a carnival practice by the Swiss Count, John James Heidegger, who had arrived in England in 1708” Count Heidegger sponsored the first masquerade ball at the Haymarket Opera House. The phenomenon became a trend throughout London, but Count Heidegger was the leading impresario of masquerades in the early part of the eighteenth century. In the second half of the century, Heidegger was succeeded by Mrs. Theresa Cornelys, a Venetian born opera singer, actress and adventuress. Her subscription masquerades were held mostly at Carlisle House in Soho Square, starting in 1763

From  The works of William Hogarth from the original plates
restored by James Heath : with the addition of many subjects not before
collected, to which are prefixed a biographical essay on the genius and
productions of Hogarth, and explanations of the subjects of the plates,
by John Nichols.