Welcome to Masks of the World

These masks come from many different sources such as estate sales, internet auctions, flea markets, etc. Some were in Masks from Around the World, a show at the Lancaster Museum of Art held in 2002. There are examples from various cultures in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas here and they can be quickly viewed by clicking a category on the left. 

Some of the masks are for sale. Most are grouped under "archive" for visitors to see, especially school children who are doing world culture or art projects.

When possible, each mask is labeled with the following information: its use, cultural origins, size, construction materials, etc. The size dimension is from top to bottom. For more information or larger photographs, please feel free to email us.

As a graphic designer who has pursued painting and sculpture as hobbies, my attraction to these objects was purely aesthetic in the beginning. I saw the masks as wonderful examples of painted sculpture. After my collection grew, I became more interested in how masks were used, what they represented, their history, and other stories that surround them. Now I enjoy both the art and the ethnography.

When understood in their cultural context, the masks became even more appealing. In many communities, masks play a major role in rites of passage and in spiritual rituals, often as symbols of victory in war or of dominion over nature. Some masks are more mysterious, such as those produced by secret societies that make us wonder about the masks creator, wearer, and its purpose.

MasksoftheWorld.com is unique because it also includes modern protective masks used for sports and specialized work. Thought to be purely utilitarian, they can alter a human face with a statement of confidence or aggression. 

We hope you will enjoy looking at some of the different cultural categories and their individual mask pages, and in so doing, experience your own virtual journey around the world.

Bob Ibold