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  • Africa

    Maiden Spirit mask from the Igbo

    June 8, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  I collect masks from countries I visit and have a small collection of 9 at the moment (and hopefully growing). However, my Nan volunteers at a British Heart Foundation shop and had a wooden mask bought in and has got it for me. I usually like to know where the masks are from. Would there be any way for me to find out where this one is from?  Sophie, 789 A:  That’s what we’re here for. Learning about the mask increases the pleasure of collecting.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Punu mask from Gabon, West Africa

    October 26, 2015

    Airport art at its best

    January 13, 2017

    Decorative Mwana Pwo mask

    March 31, 2020
  • Africa

    Lipiko mask from the Makonde

    June 3, 2015 / No Comments

    The famous Lipiko mask from the Makonde people projects a kind of stylized realism that is unique in African masks. This is a plain one without scarification or applied hair, but with an especially strong and well executed form. From a purely sculptural standpoint, it doesn’t get much better than this. The mask, which slips completely over the dancers head and rests on the shoulders, is about 12 inches deep.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Small West African mask

    January 29, 2015

    New 3-piece model

    January 26, 2014

    Pere mask from the DRC

    May 29, 2017
  • East Asia

    Especially colorful Hanhoe mask

    June 3, 2015 / 1 Comment

    Q:  This Asian mask was given to me by a student about 15 years ago. She was Japanese-Korean and the bride of a Vietnamese soldier.  That is about all I know. I am moving to Hawaii this Fall and am trying to downsize.  Thank you for your assistance.  Janis, 787  A:  This is a Hanhoe mask from the Gyeongsangbuk province of South Korea.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Japanese Bugaku mask

    May 11, 2016

    Khon mask for Thai dancers

    February 9, 2016

    Japan uses the most masks

    October 12, 2018
  • Africa

    Mbuya mask from the DRC

    June 1, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  I just acquired this mask at an estate sale. It is made of very lightweight wood and appears to be quite old. There is also a kind of fabric made from woven grass attached to the top and lower parts of the mask. The mask measures 11″ x 11″ (including fabric) or 7″ x 7″ (wooden part only) with a 5.5″ depth. Any information you can provide would be much appreciated.  Simon, 786 A:  The Pende are an important culture that has produced a wide range of masks and other sculptures.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Younger buyers and five figure sales mark “turning point”

    October 24, 2017

    Africa’s greatest mask

    April 27, 2020

    Boolean version of African mask

    February 4, 2018
  • Native America

    NWC raven mask, sort of

    May 29, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  I have always been interested in African masks but thought this may be a Haida or Tlingit raven mask. I’m just guessing. Is it old or a reproduction? There is a name written inside. I’m not sure but it looks like “Rovea Tona.”  Emily, 785 A:  It is a reproduction of a Northwest Coast Indian raven mask as you said, but serious collectors prefer the masks made by Native American carvers.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Mississippian bone gorget

    December 13, 2016

    Old Inuit mask from Greenland

    June 20, 2019

    Indian mask made of bone

    September 21, 2016
  • Africa

    Souvenirs vs. Traditional Art

    May 28, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  Another mask I found recently. I don’t know anything about it other than it is sand cast metal, I believe.  Dee, 784 A:  You can see a similar African mask that I posted Feb 8. Your mask is also called a Kpelie and comes from the Senufo people of Ivory Coast. These refined face masks represent women, are danced by men, and are usually associated with the Poro association. Called Beautiful Lady or Kpelie, they come with many variations, with rich and complex symbolism. At that time I went on to say, “Yours is especially nice. It’s designed very well and is carefully carved.”

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    Bob Ibold

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    A pretty girl all dressed up

    September 1, 2014

    Value of tribal masks from high to low

    October 13, 2018

    Kpelie mask, Senufo people, Ivory Coast

    January 23, 2017
  • Oceania

    Excellent mask from New Guinea

    May 24, 2015 / 1 Comment

    Q:  I just bought this at auction but know nothing about it. Any ideas about it would be appreciated. I’m interested in starting a small collection of masks.  Steve, 783 A:  This would be an excellent start to a collection. It is a very well made example of an ancestor mask from the Lower Sepic River area of Papua New Guinea.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Cool tourist mask from PNG

    March 25, 2020

    Moluccans scrimshawed bone mask

    March 7, 2018

    Lovely piece of PNG art

    March 17, 2016
  • Europe

    Venetian bird mask

    May 21, 2015 / 1 Comment

    Sometimes I’ll show a mask I used to own because they represent cultures we don’t see much on the Mystery Mask blog. Call it a change of pace. This one is European, a classic carnival mask made of papier mache from Venice . Signed by the artist “Barbare” on the rear. An almost identical mask is illustrated in the book, “Masks from Around the World.” This one is a used mask with quite a few chips in the paint and some large repairs. I suspect the wearer may have fallen down a few times.  In my opinion, the repairs make for a good story and do not distract much from…

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    Bob Ibold

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    Court Jester Mask

    September 2, 2020

    Witch mask from Germany

    April 16, 2018

    Tschäggättä mask from the Swiss Alps

    February 8, 2019
  • Africa

    Warlike Guere/We mask

    May 17, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  Here’s a wooden mask that my father acquired in Ivory Coast somewhere around 1975. It’s probably from the Guiglo region, in the southwest of the country. He bought it from someone there, and I’m very curious about its originality and possibly if you know anything more about its function or meaning. As a frequent visitor of your website and mask enthusiast/collector I was hoping you might be able to tell me something more about it!   Sven, 781 A: The Guere people (also called the We) are the dominant ethnic group in that area.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Toma Poro Society mask

    April 2, 2015
    Guere-Wobe

    Fine mask and a poem

    November 20, 2013

    Mysterious Pende mask

    September 6, 2020
  • Mexico

    Why Mexican masks are so much fun

    May 17, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  I am a bit embarrassed to say it, but I keep wavering on whether this mask is Guatemalan or Mexican. Thoughts? What about it strikes you as the most obvious indicator of one vs the other? (I then asked about the aluminum foil.) At first glance, I was thinking it was more than likely HVAC duct tape. Although the yellow portions make me re-think that as I cant imagine a yellow duct tape being produced for that purpose.  Nate, 780 A:  (A friend said this.)  It would appear to be a Diablo mask from the Mexican state of Guerrero.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Nice old Mexican man

    December 9, 2016

    Attack of the powderpost beetles

    July 28, 2016

    Gypsy mask from Tlaxcala

    April 9, 2016
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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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