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Masks of the World

Masks From Around the World

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  • Masks of the World – Book
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  • Categories
    • Africa
    • East Asia
    • Mexico
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    • India & Himalayas
    • Native America
    • Oceania
    • Europe
    • Bali & Java
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    • Misc
  • Is Your Mask Rare and Valuable?
  • Masks of the World – Book

Masks of World – Book

Masks of the World - Book
Learn more about our Mask of the World Book
  • Mexico

    High-end Mexican mask

    September 29, 2014 / No Comments

    Q: I have a lot of very good Mexican Dance masks that I bought from a collector in Mexico City when I lived there a few years ago but I don’t have one of these http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=301332462024. Could it possibly be worth this kind of money?  Christophe, 687 A:  This is indeed a very desirable mask. It is called a Parachico and is made in Chiapa de Corzo, Chiapas, Mexico.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Azteca masks are amazing

    February 16, 2016

    Pre-Columbian Mexican mask?

    November 19, 2018

    The dreaded Jaguar

    May 23, 2014
  • Mexico

    A different kind of devil

    September 25, 2014 / 3 Comments

    Q:  Nathan D. suggested that I contact you regarding the pair of masks that I bought from a well known financier’s estate. He purchased them from a gallery in NYC in the late 70’s. I was told by his son that they are “Mexican Death Masks”, but everyone that I have shown them to, has no idea what they are and has never seen anything like them. I am an African art collector but was so fascinated by them that I had to have them. They are constructed of hand painted thick, leather, genuine goat horns and goat hair, I believe. The insides of the masks are woven. The black…

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    Bob Ibold

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    Day of the Dead usually means decorative

    August 9, 2013

    Good-looking tigre mask

    September 23, 2016

    Mexican homemade mask

    August 26, 2017
  • Africa

    A favorite type of African mask

    September 25, 2014 / No Comments

    Q:  This mask looks like ebony wood.  It is 20″ x 9″ wide.  It was a gift from a friend who traveled extensively.  I have had it since the 1990’s.  Cheryl, 685 A:  We see thousands of masks of this basic design and, frankly, in never get tired of looking at them. Here is a little more information.

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    Bob Ibold

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    African traditional art influenced the modernists

    December 15, 2013

    From the Bamum of Cameroon

    February 21, 2017

    Airport art at its best

    January 13, 2017
  • Africa

    Is it as old as it looks?

    September 18, 2014 / 2 Comments

    Q:  Please check out this mask. The seller says it is old (I know they always say this). If you want I can send you few more close-ups. Your opinion is very appreciated. Reminds Luba but these horns.. And also the stitches, were they made on purpose so the mask looks old? Or are they real? The mask has 2 holes at sides and 3 holes for the beard. This is Kigali, Rwanda. Thank you.  Sayn, 684 A:  It’s a horned Kayamba mask from the Lega people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

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    Bob Ibold

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    New 3-piece model

    January 26, 2014

    Vuvi mask from northern Gabon

    July 24, 2018

    Why are real African masks so hard to find?

    September 10, 2013
  • Bali & Java

    Is this Balinese mask old?

    September 12, 2014 / No Comments

    Q:  Hi, my mother recently acquired this mask when a relative passed away, and I was really curious as to what the mask was depicting and how it may have been used. She thinks it is from Bali, but I have no idea. Thank you for your time!  Zack, 683 A:  Your mother is right. It is a beat up Rangda mask that might actually be an antique.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Unusual mask from Java

    January 26, 2014

    Old Javanese mask

    July 11, 2014

    Old Java mask with nice patina

    August 25, 2018
  • Mexico

    Cheap Mexican decorative

    September 9, 2014 / 1 Comment

    Q:  Can you tell me something about this triple head (man and some type of animals) mask.  Made of wood.  I don’t know anything about it but need to sell it and want to say the truth about the mask.  Thanks,  Tina, 682 A:  About 40 years ago I bought my first mask. It was an inexpensive but very colorful piece that was made by the same group of carvers in Guerrero, Mexico, that made yours.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Fancy Mexican mask

    December 12, 2017

    Reproduction of pre-Columbian Mexican mask

    December 26, 2018

    It’s fix-up time

    February 21, 2014
  • Africa

    Hard to recognize East African

    September 7, 2014 / No Comments

    Q:  I purchased this mask from an auction or estate sale and was wondering if you could tell me if it’s a tourist mask or actual tribal. Thank you. David, 681 A:  I was having trouble identifying this mask and asked my friend Aaron to help. His first choice was the Makonde people who live in both Tanzania and Mozambique.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Dan bird mask

    March 2, 2017

    Excellent Gelede mask from Nigeria

    July 7, 2016

    African tourist mask

    May 8, 2017
  • East Asia

    A little about age

    September 6, 2014 / No Comments

    Q:  This mask was bought on Borneo and is said to be from the Iban on Borneo used for rice-field ceremony. It comes from the Kapit area. I am curious whether it is authentic (indication is that it comes from the 1920’s).  Adam, 680 A:  Simple, primitive masks that look like this can be found in many cultures throughout the world including African, Himalayan, Timorese, Mexican, etc. Fortunately, you know exactly where yours was made.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Yao Shaman Mask

    April 30, 2016

    Why such a distorted Japanese mask?

    September 17, 2018

    Japanese Bugaku mask

    May 11, 2016
  • Africa

    A little about authenticity

    September 3, 2014 / No Comments

    Q:  I found this at a goodwill store. Just wondering what the background is and if it appears to be authentic.  Nathan, 679 A:  Your mask an attractive reproduction of a classic Goli Kpan mask from the Baule people of Ivory Coast. This type of Goli mask always shows a beautiful women with an elaborate coiffure and elegant scarification. Yours is quickly made and artificially aged, but nicely proportioned and traditional in style. I like it.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Authentic or reproduction

    April 29, 2016

    From the Baule people of Ivory Coast

    December 17, 2015

    Rough Guro antelope mask

    March 14, 2015
  • Bali & Java

    Popular Indonesian mask

    September 1, 2014 / No Comments

    Q:  Bought this mask at an estate not sure what I want to do with it probably to be honest sell it.   Lile, 678 A:  This is Rangda, the most popular character mask from the classic Balinese dance dramas. People find them colorful and exotic. It is an inexpensive one that has been carved and painted quickly and can be purchased for very little money. If you search you can find photos of much finer examples, but they will cost more. A well made Rangda that has been used by a professional dancer for a long time would cost even more. Actually, B, C and D all apply to this…

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    Bob Ibold

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    Love it or hate it

    October 23, 2013

    Village mask from Java

    December 16, 2018

    A great storage unit story

    February 9, 2016
12

Recent Comments

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Recent Posts

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  • Feb 08, 2019 Exorcising mask from Guizhou, PRC
Mask Value Code

A - high value*

B - collectible*

C - decorative art

D - low value

* A and B do not always imply higher dollar value. Most masks get a C or D, however we usually don't post them.

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