• Home
  • Discover & Learn
  • Ask Us About Your Mask
  • About
  • Contact
Masks of the World

  • Home
  • Blog Home
  • Discover & Learn
  • Ask Us About Your Mask
  • Masks
  • Blog About
  • Home
  • Blog Home
  • Discover & Learn
  • Ask Us About Your Mask
  • Masks
  • Blog About
  • Caribbean

    Boruca mask in need of fix up

    December 27, 2014 / 10 Comments

    Q:  Another mask found in a flea market– really well carved and sanded, unpainted, with eyes holes, so it could be worn, though uncomfortably as there is no place for nose. Just curious about its provenance. Looks Native American to me. The wood is tight grained and a soft brown color. I am stumped. Can you help?  Paule, 720 A:  This is a Devil mask from the Boruca (Borunca, Brunka), a small culture located in southwestern Costa Rica.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Where does this mask come from?

    September 5, 2018

    4 Jamaican Jonkonnu dancers

    March 11, 2018

    Nicaraguan carnival mask with protection

    April 2, 2019
  • Africa

    Mwano Pwo mask

    December 27, 2014 / No Comments

    Both Lwena and the nearby Chokwe people of southern Democratic Republic of Congo use this type of mask. It represents the ideal female beauty, Mwano Pwo, and is danced with male counterparts, Chihongo, during initiation ceremonies and other important occasions to bring fertility and prosperity to the village. Most share the depiction of facial scarification patterns, filed teeth, fanciful and inventive hair styles. Despite the mask’s appearance and excellent quality of carving, it was probably made to be sold. This is good news because it means you can afford something just like it for your collection.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Reproductions of African masks can be collectible

    September 23, 2018

    Huge butterfly mask from the Bwa

    November 27, 2017

    Classic mask from the Grasslands

    July 25, 2016
  • East Asia

    New Guinea mask

    December 27, 2014 / 3 Comments

    Q:  I’m interested in selling this. I inherited this mask many years ago and never displayed it.  I was told it was from Sepik River, New Giunea, with an origin date of 1800’s to early 1900’s. Let me know.  Thanks, David, 718 A:  Sepik River area of Papua New Guinea is the correct location for the location of its manufacture, but the accuracy of the origin date is very unlikely.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Japanese mask festival

    February 27, 2018

    Japanese Noh demon

    May 12, 2015

    Angry old Japanese man

    April 9, 2019
  • Africa

    The price of African masks

    December 26, 2014 / 1 Comment

    Q:  Bought this at garage sale..it looks and feels old and authentic. Made of wood and fabric and shells.  Robbie, 717 A:  One African art dealer calls this is a Dan Deangle mask from Ivory Coast in West Africa and goes on to say that

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Baule mask from West Africa

    September 22, 2018

    Decorating vs. Collecting

    March 25, 2014

    Congo style mask

    February 20, 2016
  • Africa

    Well-known African mask

    December 18, 2014 / No Comments

    Bamoun mask Grassfields region, Cameroon 13 inches, wood The Grassfields Cameroon, West Africa are one of the richer parts of Africa for masks and other forms of art. This dates back to the powerful kingdoms that dominated Cameroon two centuries ago. This mask is very typical of the Bamoun (Bamun) people for village ceremonies and secret society ritual. Today, mask making has grown to become a major income producer for the area. Here is an example that is well carved and in excellent condition.   Bob, 715 I just saw a much more expensive mask than this one, which is described in the “Mask for sale” section of our website. Then…

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Chokwe Pwo mask

    May 18, 2018

    Baga Nimba mask from the Guinea coast

    June 29, 2017

    A Tale of Two Masks from Nigeria

    March 23, 2017
  • Bali & Java

    Good old or bad old?

    December 18, 2014 / No Comments

    Q:  I’m trying to find out where from and how old this mask is that my wife inherited. The mask’s parameters are as follows: height              10″ width                 8″ leather beard    14″     Thanks, Pierre, 714 A:  This is a character from the classic dance dramas of Bali. It probably isn’t very old. I say that because if a mask is used for a long time it slowly develops wear and a patina on its surface. This mask is faded, the paint is chipping off and three of the four fangs are broken off. It…

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Unusual mask from Java

    January 26, 2014

    World famous maskmaker from Bali

    December 4, 2020

    Indonesian dance mask for the poor

    September 18, 2018
  • Africa

    Tourist masks can look good

    December 18, 2014 / No Comments

    Q:  I found this mask in an antique store in South Carolina.  Was curious what it represents. Thanks!  Rosalind, 713 A:  This is a decorative piece of art in the style of a Baule mask from Ivory Coast, West Africa. The real ones are called Ndomas by the Baule, and they are said to portray an honored person of the village who is celebrated during a ceremonial dance known as Mblo.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Beautiful religious artifact

    September 24, 2013

    Sande Society mask for women only

    July 16, 2019

    The Mask Man needs help

    September 10, 2016
  • Africa

    Royal elephant mask

    December 15, 2014 / No Comments

    Q:  I live in Sydney, Australia, and I want to know if  you can please tell me about the origin, value and history of this wooden elephant mask. It has French Cameroon coins and shells imbedded on it. Please check attached photos.  Charbel, 712 A:  Large masks like this were made for the Bali ruling class of western Cameroon.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    It certainly is African

    January 1, 2014

    Pere mask from the DRC

    May 29, 2017

    Bundu mask for women

    November 20, 2018
  • East Asia

    Could be controversial

    December 14, 2014 / 4 Comments

    Q:  Here is what I assume is an antique, turn-of-the-century, racist, decorative mask from Japan. Just like Black Americana pokes fun at ethnic features, so does this mask. Beyond what might be the typical big lips, the creator went further to highlight nose-hairs, and crooked eyes to boot. The nose appears wider and more broad than an Asian feature, and in that way, also seems to strongly suggest Black heritage. Uniquely signed on the reverse in two colors… I’ve yet to find a translator. Its made of a hardwood, and appears to have aged patina within its shellac coating. Its a bit smaller than a typical mask… and fits my…

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Khon mask for Thai dancers

    February 9, 2016

    Chinese character mask

    June 13, 2018

    What makes a mask desireable?

    October 4, 2013
  • Misc,  Unknown

    Strange art mask

    December 12, 2014 / 1 Comment

    Q:  I acquired this mask decades ago. I was told at that time that it’s South American, but they knew nothing more than that. It is carved of wood, covered with pebbles (?), then painted. It has a dark brown or black undercoat which shows slightly where it’s worn. I look forward to the benefit of your opinion.  Martin, 710 A:  I like to refer to these as “art masks.”

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Japan uses the most masks

    October 12, 2018

    Red Mystery mask

    October 15, 2020

    The art of Paolo del Toro

    January 18, 2018
107108109110111


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.

Archives

Masks of the World - 2025 ©