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  • Oceania

    South Pacific Surprise

    December 10, 2014 / 1 Comment

    Q:  I found this in an antique store. They say its from Africa but it looks closer to New Guinea to me. I can’t find anything online. Could you help me out. It is approximately 9″ wide X 10″ high to edge of weaving. l collect almost any masks that are fairly old and not tourists models. I also carve NW Native Masks.  Scott, 709 A: You are absolutely right about New Guinea, but I’m not sure whether it is authentic or a strictly for tourists item. Let’s be positive and go with authentic. Definitely New Guinea. I have seen PNG masks of this size that have woven reed borders…

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    Bob Ibold

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    Mah Meri mask from Malaysia

    February 2, 2016

    Excellent mask from New Guinea

    May 24, 2015

    Lombok face mask

    January 7, 2016
  • India & Himalayas

    Sri Lanka has rich traditions of masquerade

    December 8, 2014 / No Comments

    Q:  I have recently owned some masks on an antique fair. I am not an expert so I am very curious if they are original, hand made, etc. Could you please tell me what their origin is? I am sending photos of one of the masks. I would be grateful for your help. A:  This mask is from Sri Lanka, a small island nation with a rich tradition of masquerade.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Nice Mahakala mask from Tibet

    December 14, 2018

    Colonial India or more recent Nepal?

    June 10, 2013

    Traditional Buddhist mask from Mongolia

    October 13, 2019
  • Bali & Java

    Old half-mask from Bali

    December 5, 2014 / 1 Comment

    Q:  I recently purchased this mask at a non-internet estate auction as part of an auction lot. Size is 6 1/4″ h x 5 1/2″ w. Light elegant wood with a true antique feel (wavy patina). The red paint might be storage splatters. I collect well-crafted, antique ethnographic items.  Jerry, 707 A:  Your excellent hi-res photos suggest this is a very old Balinese mask used for the Topeng dance drama that has been performed there for hundreds of years.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Javanese Pentul mask

    December 27, 2020

    Is this Balinese mask old?

    September 12, 2014

    Cheap Balinese tourist mask from 1960’s

    February 25, 2017
  • East Asia

    Japan’s most popular mask

    December 4, 2014 / 3 Comments

    Q:  I have a Hannya mask that was given to me by my mother years ago.  I am not sure as to its authenticity or age.  It looks like one of the nicer masks I have seen and I believe it is made of wood.  I am guessing it is a reproduction but really have no idea.  Any information would be appreciated.  Thanks.  Tom, 706 A:  The mask of Noh theater character “Hannya” is collected and reproduced a great deal, probably more than any other.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Traditional Buddhist mask from Mongolia

    October 13, 2019

    Maiden mask from Korea

    January 9, 2019

    It looks authentic to me

    August 15, 2013
  • India & Himalayas

    Rare, old Indian mask

    December 3, 2014 / 2 Comments

    Q:  I have had this huge mask for a while and always thought it was from South India (possible Kerala), but recently a friend told me it looks Nepalese to him? With the larger nose possibly a Garuda? I think it may be a form of Shiva as well. Also I am having a heard time dating it. It has for sure been worn and lots of wear and few layers of paint. Ant ideas?  Josh, 705 A:  You have a wonderful mask here. It is probably from somewhere in northeastern India.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Hairy leather mask

    August 22, 2017

    Mongolian Buddhist mask

    August 27, 2018

    Mukaha mask from NE India

    December 6, 2017
  • Africa

    Much larger Congo mask

    December 2, 2014 / No Comments

    Q:  Just wondering if you could kindly identify this mask for me. I came across it whilst in Africa. It came off a truck that was doing a trans-Africa tour approx 30 years ago. I believe it came from West Africa. It is wooden with a rafia beard and the size including beard is 137cm (wooden mask height only is 68cm), the width is 39cm, so it is quite big.  Paul, 704 A:  When it rains it pours Congo masks. This one is indeed big. Masks this large are made by African tribes occasionally.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Old Bini mask from Nigeria

    October 2, 2020

    Something else different

    September 4, 2016

    Kpelie masks can be wood or bronze

    August 22, 2013
  • Africa

    More from the Congo

    November 24, 2014 / 2 Comments

    Q:  I’d love your thoughts on this mask I recently bought at auction; it’s around 30cm in height and made from a fairly light weight wood. Could it be from Congo I wonder? Many thanks in advance.  Nicky, 703 A:  Yes, it could be from the Congo, and possibly from the same area as the Lwalu mask that just came in a few hours ago. So what I said previously applies to your mask as well.

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    Bob Ibold

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    African art show in Bloomington, IN

    February 12, 2015

    Traditional Bobo mask

    May 21, 2017

    Unusual African mask

    February 22, 2018
  • Africa

    Interesting mask from the Congo

    November 24, 2014 / 1 Comment

    Q:  This mask was left in our home when we purchased it.  We are not collectors but are very intrigued, and who knows, this may start our hobby.  Can you tell us something about it? Thank you!!!  Machelle, 702 A: I think you are lucky. This is a good example of a used* mask from the Lwalu people from the West Kasai region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Here masks are used for various rites, plus brief performances to bring good luck before the hunt.

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    Bob Ibold

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    More on African masks

    June 19, 2020
    restored Epa mask

    It looks like it’s just been created

    October 18, 2013

    Interesting show at Brooklyn Museum

    September 2, 2016
  • East Asia

    A Perfect Stranger

    November 16, 2014 / 2 Comments

    Q:  I am a collector of Oceanic material and just bought this mask at a local auction. It is 21 inches long and seems to be old, but I really don’t know where it’s from. It’s full of decoration, mostly scorpions and birds.  Niek, 701 A:  This is a mystery for the Mask Man as well.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Timor has many styles

    October 24, 2014

    Japanese repros are desirable

    September 10, 2013

    Could be controversial

    December 14, 2014
  • South America

    Very old Diablo Umo

    November 13, 2014 / 1 Comment

    Q:  Any ideas? The blue mask has what looks like a date 1957. They were well used. There is a moth eaten felt pad at the inside top to make wearing easier. I have no ideas. Thanks, Gary, 700 A:  The Diablo Umo fabric mask is a classic from the Quechua-speaking people of Ecuador.

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    Bob Ibold

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    3 more Tukuma masks from Amazon

    November 7, 2019

    Indian mask from South America

    March 31, 2017

    World traveling mask

    August 31, 2014
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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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