The vanvera was a unique object that became quite popular in
Italy during the 19th century, especially among the noble
families in Venice.
What made the vanvera special was its purpose. It was used to
mask the sound and smell of farts when you were around other people.
This object has very old roots and dates back to ancient Egypt
and Rome. Back then, it was called a "Prallo." During long feasts
with the Pharaohs and Emperors, it was used to hide the noise and
smell of gas. The design was like a ceramic or wooden egg with a
small mouthpiece near the rear end and another hole at the
opposite side to let the gas escape. Aromatic herbs could be
placed inside to cover up the smell.
In the 1600s, the vanvera became popular again, especially among
the Venetian nobility. Two types were created: the "Vanvera da
Passeggio," which was made of leather and designed to fit snugly
against the buttocks. It had a tube leading to a bladder where
the gas would be stored. There was a small hole that could be
closed with a string to let the gas escape when you were alone.
It was worn under skirts or cloaks and used when you had to leave
the house, despite having stomach issues. For example, people
would use it when going to the theater or attending social
events. The second type, the "Vanvera da Alcova," was similar,
but instead of a bladder, it had a long tube. In the summer, the
tube led outside through a window; in winter, it went to another
room. This version was mainly used by men to avoid embarrassing
moments during the first night of marriage when they didn't yet
feel comfortable enough with their partner to make natural noises.
By the early 20th century, the vanvera fell out of use,
especially as the clothing styles of the nobility changed. Some
scholars believe that the Italian saying "parlare a vanvera"
(talking nonsense) actually comes from this unusual object.
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The vanvera
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