rio carnival dances can be dated back as far as 1641, when governor salvator correia de sá e benvides dedicated the first rio carnival to king dom dom joão iv.

yet, historians document that it was not until 1840 that the first bailes with masks were held in rio as part of the carnival celebrations.

after the introduction of masks, it took another thirty years before these masks and costumes became as an important part of the parties, if not the most important element.

with the emergence of masquerade dances, two types of formal costumed parties came about.

one type of carnival ball, based an old world european style introduced by the portuguese, exclusively for the rich and famous, followed european social tradition, where people garnished elegant and reserved costumes.