In Sausalito, CA, there is a mask collector-turned-sculpture by the name of Mort Golub. Though his work is wearable, these masks are made to be collected and displayed. You can read about him and see more of his work at www.mortgolubart.com Here is a quote from his website… “My particular interests became centered in the masking traditions of the Himalayas. In the early 1990s I began collecting masks from this area, when great masterpieces were still available. Living with such pieces was very revealing, and led me from painting to making sculpture. Many of the ancient broken and discarded objects that I had been collecting as well became incorporated into…
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The Bushoong do fine masks
Q: Hello Mr Ibold. Important for me your opinion for my Kuba mask. Thank you very much. Spyridon, 948 A: Your Kuba mask is a Bushoong female character sometimes called ngady amwaash. If it was made in the West Kasai region of the DRC, it could be considered authentic. In my opinion the designs, colors, beads and cowries are all very pretty, but it has been put together rather quickly compared to the older ones we see in books and museums that are more carefully detailed. B+
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That old and used look
Q: This mask was given to me by an uncle who told me that it came from a collector of authentic masks and that is all I know about. It is made of some kind of wood and the hair is very course. The jaw of the mask is hinged for movement. The mask is 10 inches long by 8 inches wide. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Phil, 947 A: The character is Rangda from one of the classic dance dramas of Bali, Indonesia. It was made for sale to tourists or for export. That darkened varnish plus some dusting and roughing is what I refer to as “antiquing.”…
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Mask of the Himalayas
In the middle foothills and valleys of the southern slopes of the Himalayas live tribes, among which a very old form of Shamanism mixed with elements of Buddhism and Hinduism is still predominant today. These tribes, the Gurung, Magar, Tamang, etc., have an old mask tradition. Shamans and special dancers perform there with masks and costumes during ceremonies, theatrical performances and dances. These masks are usually crudely carved out of hardwood and age considerably while hanging in the rafters of the smokey huts in which many Nepalese live. The resulting patina is very appealing to collectors. This Middle Hills mask is on page 39 of Masks of the World by…
