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  • East Asia

    Chinese theater mask

    July 18, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  I bought at a flee market.The material is carved wood, lacquered, and about 20 cm high.  Enrico, 809 A: This is a mask for the Chen He theater of the Hu Nan district in China.  In the Ming dynasty, immigrants from Jiang Xi settled in the then barren land along the river of Chen He. 

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    Bob Ibold

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    Old khon mask

    March 10, 2018

    Unused Shishi mask from Japan, circa 1960

    July 12, 2015

    Old Chinese bronze helmet mask

    November 21, 2019
  • Guatemala

    Well known Guatemalan mask

    July 18, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  I inherited this mask from my grandfather who was an art dealer and collector.  He collected African masks, but I doubt this is one.  He was born in Canada in the late 19th century, but came to settle in Riverside California.  When he married, he and his family lived in Beverly Hills where he had a gallery.  He constantly flew back and forth to Paris collecting and selling lithographs and anything Picasso.  I have no idea where he acquired this mask and how he came to give it me…but I’ve kept it all these years and am curious of its origin.  Is it Guatemalian?  808 A: It is Guatemalan,…

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    Bob Ibold

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    Tecun Uman mask from Guatemala

    January 5, 2021

    Old cowboy mask from Guatemala

    December 21, 2020

    Rare Guatemalan mask

    August 23, 2020
  • Native America

    Bird masks from different cultures

    July 17, 2015 / 1 Comment

    A friend sent me the following story. The two images are of the sea hawk, an impressive predator from our north west coast. One was created by an Indian carver who lived there about 200 years ago, and the other was designed recently by a Seattle artist. Does this comparison suggest anything? It tells me that folk art is always evolving. What do you think? Seattle, WA– The mask that inspired the original Seahawks logo will be on display at the Burke Museum starting this Saturday. Historians trace it back to the Kwakwaka’wakw people of Vancouver Island.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Koryak mask from Siberia

    February 17, 2018

    Unidentified Eskimo mask

    January 18, 2017

    Northwest Coast mask repro

    January 23, 2015
  • India & Himalayas

    Primitive mask from the Himalayas

    July 16, 2015 / 1 Comment

    Q:  I picked up this mask recently from an expat in Thailand. He bought it from the Chitwan region in Nepal.  He said it is a reverse shaman mask. I believe the beard and eyebrows to be yak hair. It also has 2 yak teething measures L22cm x W12cm. Could you tell me anything about this?  Dan, 806 A:  This is easy to recognize as primitive folk art from Nepal.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Mahakala mask from Nepal

    January 15, 2016

    Tribal mask from Nepal Middle Hills

    September 7, 2017

    Kali masks from India

    April 26, 2018
  • East Asia

    Unused Shishi mask from Japan, circa 1960

    July 12, 2015 / No Comments

    Q: The head alone is 7” wide; with the ears included, it’s 14” across. The ears are removable. I’m pretty sure the material is a lightweight wood. My grandmother probably bought this on trips during the 1950’s or 1960’s. She also collected Satsuma ceramics, of which I have a few pieces. I’ve attached photos of the box it came in. Frank, 805 A: It always comes with a moveable jaw. Though this one is about 75 years old it is in brand-new condition. The Japanese love to give masks as a gift.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Traditional Japanese Noh mask

    October 10, 2020

    Protective masks are intimidating

    January 8, 2016

    Japan’s magnificent Noh masks

    July 23, 2020
  • East Asia

    Morione mask from the Philippines

    July 7, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  I purchased this mask at an estate sale about 5 years ago. I like that it is so realistic. It even had eyelashes. I think it may be Mexican and there appears to be some staining on the inside forehead, cheeks and chin. It is about 7 inches tall and 6 inches across. Thanks for any information you can give me.  Tom, 804 A:  It looks Mexican but is actually from the Philippine Islands. The eye holes and the rear give it away.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Korean masks

    April 27, 2018

    Chinese decorative art

    July 10, 2017

    Chinese Nuo Opera mask

    April 24, 2020
  • Africa

    Nice West African mask

    July 6, 2015 / 4 Comments

    Q:  The raffia material seems authentically darkened by use; there are stains of sweat around the inner side and at the chin; it does not smell of any varnish or recent burning; the patina is even but not too even; the cloth hood at the back fell off some time ago, and was clearly covered with some light blue material; the forehead was covered with blue color stains, too, but was worn away; the dirt on the ‘hair’ seems truly old; the bird on the head has a hole onto which something was attached at some time; the raffia is attached by very corroded nails which do not seem to…

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    Bob Ibold

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    Mask from the Congo

    April 17, 2015

    Kpelie mask, Senufo people, Ivory Coast

    January 23, 2017

    Pwo mask from the Congo

    November 4, 2015
  • Oceania

    Carved wood lion mask from Asia

    July 6, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  The mask I am sending pictures of is something I picked up in Bali a few weeks ago while on vacation. What do you think? It looks like it may have been used and had been hung for quite a while. By the way, I live and teach in Vientiane Laos and picked up a mask a few years ago at an expat bazaar. What should I be looking for in Laos and northern Thailand?  Lance, 802 A:  I have seen masks like this before but need some help in identifying the place of origin.

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    Bob Ibold

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    A popular god in Asia

    November 10, 2013

    Maori mask from New Zealand

    August 16, 2017

    25-in Ramu mask from PNG

    October 8, 2019
  • Guatemala

    Nicely sculpted Guatemalan mask

    July 4, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:   I have two masks I am interested in selling. These masks were purchased at an estate auction of a diplomat who lived in Alexandria, VA.  I bought them at an antiques shop.  The seller thinks they might be from Mexico, but he is uncertain.  I typically “pick” items for resale on ebay.  I would be interested in purchasing an appraisal for the masks, or I might be interested in selling them to you if you were interested.  Not sure of the best route to take.  Mike, 800 A:  As you know, submitting more than one mask is discouraged on the Mystery Mask blog. So are requests for monetary value.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Green devil from Guatemala

    March 29, 2019

    Beat-up Guatemalan still here

    March 22, 2014

    Perfect photos of Guatemalan mask

    August 2, 2020
  • Native America

    Authentic Tlingit ceremonial mask

    July 3, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  I purchased this mask from an online website that had it listed as an “antique unknown mask”. Upon first glance, I thought that the piece may be a newer Indonesian reproduction of a northwest coast mask, but after closer inspection, it appears that the mask has a considerable amount of age and wear consistent with use. I would just like to know whether this is an authentic Native American mask or not. Also, the shape of the eyes look similar to the almond shape that I see on Yupik masks, however the lip and brown form of the mask is consistent with northwest coast style.  Trent, 800 A:  You…

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    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Iroquois whistler mask

    April 3, 2015

    NWC Indian mask

    February 6, 2016

    Pacific Northwest of US and Canada

    July 1, 2017
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Quiz - Test Your Mask Knowledge

Click Here Take The Quiz

Mystery 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 I usually don't post them.

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