We will be making some changes to the Masks of the World website. We will be launching a new design, adding social media, videos, a new marketplace and more content. We will be adding content about: Collecting – Finding, identifying, valuing authentic masks – and other collecting topics. Learning – Historical perspective, what is the meaning, purpose, and use of masks. Displaying – Tips for displaying masks. Travel – Great places to visit around the world that still engage in masking traditions. We are excited about the new changes, and we hope you enjoy discovering the amazing world of masks and cultural celebrations as much as we enjoy bringing it…
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How to Get Started Collecting Masks – A Beginner’s Guide
Everything You Need to Know to Get Started Collecting Masks. This eBook explains the pros and cons of collecting different masks from around the world. You’ll learn how identify authentic masks, why you might want to collect masks from one culture versus another and if collecting is really for you. PDF eBook
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Indonesian Tiger Mask
Q: I think the mask that I have here should be an old Sumatran Tiger mask? I acquired it out of a Dutch private collection dome 20 years ago. Could I ask your help to identify this beautiful mask. – P
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Oceanic Mask?
Q: Daniela ask: Unfortunately I don’t know anything about the mask. We bought it from somebody in Czech.
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Dayak Mask from Borneo
Q: I found this carved wood mask in a consignment store several years ago. It is 20 inches long, has an articulated mouth and holes along the open edge in back to hold bark strips or hair. There are no modern materials used, no wire or nails. Just wondering if you knew where it might be from.
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Nepalese Buddhist Mask
Q: I bought this mask online last week and paid less than $100 for it. The seller described the mask as African . I have a fairly large collection of African masks so I knew that was incorrect. I supposed it to be from somewhere in the Himalayan region. It has obvious wear and some damage which has been repaired. Has red wax seal on back. – Ken
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A piece of primitive Himalayan art
9 Mahakalas on 1 plaque
Himalayan shaman’s mask
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India Monkey Mask
I think this mask came from the 1964 NY World Fair and it’s made of papier-mâché.
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European Theater Mask
Q: Any idea where this is from? I inherited it from an uncle who had it in the 1950’s. He was a frequent visitor to Paris and I suspect he bought it at the Flea Market there. It is 15″ tall to the top of the ears (which look like some kind of leather).
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Java Monkey Mask
Q: I purchased this from an antique store for $75. Carved from a single piece of wood with a small purple gemstone inset on the forehead. Measures approximately 9 inches from forehead to chin, about 5.5 inches deep, and 5.5 inches across. Store owner said she purchased as part of a lot of masks from a collector at auction. Was labeled as possible exorcism mask from Nepal. – Shannon
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Northern Rhodesia Mask (now Zambia)
Q: My mother ordered this mask from a collector in Northern Rhodesia in 1949. (now Zambia). There is a letter from him and a note in the back mentioning a tribe which I cannot read clearly. Maroshe? Mashona is the only tribe I could find close to that spelling. It is made of very dense, dark wood and there was at one time hair attached as topnotch and beard? It may have suffered from the many moves of a Navy family over the years, or it may have come like this.
