Q: I am currently backpacking through India, and in Jaisalmer I came across a curiosity shop of sorts. I purchased the two masks pictured. One looks almost identical to what you identify as a Nepalese monkey mask. My question is about the cow-looking one. I found a great pile of dusty and dirt-covered animal and humanoid masks that appeared related (see photo I took in the shop). Initially the shopkeeper told me they were used in a village play over 100 years ago and then the next day his brother said they were hung on houses as evil eyes. Obviously I can’t trust either story and was hoping you could…
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Sculpture from the SW Pacific
Q: My husband acquired this mask from an antiques dealer and was told that it had been purchased in NYC the 70’s. We believe it is from Indonesia. We were hoping you could give us some more information. Alicia, 778 A: This piece of art is about 30 inches tall, so it is made for decorating a home. I think it is quite handsome, but is not a real mask.
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Portrait mask from NWC Canada
Q: I got this mask at a local antique gun show. It is made of cedar and is nine and a half inches tall. I believe it might be authentic northwest coast Indian. Do you think it is real, or a copy from the US? If you have the time to look at this, thanks very much. Cyril, 777 A: Of course I have the time. It is a special pleasure for me when readers find a mask that might be worth a lot to collectors.
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Japanese Noh demon
Q: A friend of mine found and purchased this mask at a yard sale but asked if i wanted it rather than her trying to donate it to a second hand store where it would likely have been discarded for being too “evil” for the local central NY population Is it Japanese or something else? It appears to be wood with a thin veneer of plaster, one eye is intact but the second was damaged before my friend purchased it. I have no idea how old it really is. There are worn leather straps inside for wearing it, and only one mark that appears to be a stamp on the…
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Cakil is one of the bad guys
Q: Hey! I have a question if you or anyone else have any information about this mask. It hangs on a wall at home here in Sweden, but I have no clue about it other then I believe it’s from Malaysia. Varg, 775 A: Let’s go further south to Java, Indonesia.
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India has important traditions of masquerade
I thought you might enjoy seeing this Durga mask from West Bengal, India. It is15 inches tall and made of heavy papier-mâché. Durga is considered a primary deity in Hinduism and one of the greatest goddesses. Durga Puja is the biggest festival in much of Northeast India. Made for a professional Chhau dancer, this perfect piece, with its carefully molded crown, has been made of a molded fiber and plaster material that is quite strong, and then painted. This is a feature photo in the new reference book, Masks of the World, by yours truly. It should be available in about a month. Bob, 774
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Bone mask or not?
Q: I recently purchased this mask. I believed it is carved from bone, possibly fossilized. Sutures can be seen in the underside of the mask. I do not know the type of bone or from what animal. Neither do I know its origin. It measures 7.5″ long and 5.5″ wide. Feel free to ask any additional questions. Thanks for any info you are able to give me. Herbert, 773 A: Bones are an unusual medium for masks.
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A mystery animal
Q: I picked up this mask at a yard sale. To me it looks very old. Wondering if you knew what kind of mask this was or anything about it. Its made of wood you can see its hand carved. It’s approximately 9.5 inches tall and 4.5 inches wide. Heather, 771 A: Thanks for sharing your recent find which I think resembles a dog or some other animal.
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Marka style Kore mask
Q: I got this mask at a flea market about a year and a half ago and am very curious about it. It is wood with hammered metal overlaying it, with real animal hair. I tried searching through your site to see if there was anything like it. Anything you could tell me about it would be awesome. Tamara, 772 A: It’s a Kore mask from the Marka people of Mali, West Africa.
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Kuba Bwoom helmet mask
Q: I have a mask that is displayed in my office. I am attempting to figure out if it has any value, and if so, who to target to sell the item. I have a sneaking suspicion that is a basic tourist mask, but I would like to be sure. The mask was purchased by the previous business owner who left it with the building. Unfortunately, I know nothing about it’s origin or even where it was purchased. Danielle, 770 A: The mask in your office is called a Bwoom and is from the Kuba people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in central Africa.
