• 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
  • 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…

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Dayak Mask from Borneo

    September 5, 2021

    The famous PNG mud man mask

    February 19, 2017

    Cool tourist mask from PNG

    March 25, 2020
  • 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.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Unusual Sri Lankan mask

    January 2, 2016

    Himalayan mask of Mahakala

    February 5, 2018

    Yakut iron mask

    April 8, 2016
  • 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.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Early Balinese mask

    July 25, 2015

    One of many Balinese characters

    March 7, 2014

    A Barong mask that seems too small

    January 10, 2014
  • 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.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Old Kitsune mask from Japan

    October 31, 2020

    Beautiful Khon mask from Thailand

    June 7, 2018

    Chinese opera mask

    May 29, 2019
  • 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.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Old mask from Himachal, India

    May 6, 2020

    Don’t be fooled by old looks

    August 26, 2014

    Small Indian paper mask

    February 19, 2019
  • 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.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Maiden Spirit mask from the Igbo

    June 8, 2015

    Oceanic Mask?

    November 15, 2021

    From the Bamum of Cameroon

    February 21, 2017
  • 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.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Kwere mask from Tanzania

    September 1, 2020

    Authentic Chokwe pig mask

    February 10, 2018

    African monkey mask

    November 3, 2016
  • 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.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Small mask from Congo

    October 28, 2016

    Is masquerade still alive in Africa?

    October 1, 2018

    Unusual mask from the DRC

    July 26, 2018
  • 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.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Old Noh theater mask

    January 3, 2018

    Hannya the She Devil

    May 18, 2017

    Chinese character mask

    June 13, 2018
  • 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.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Art from the Amazon jungles

    September 15, 2013

    Tukuma initiation mask from the Amazon

    May 30, 2017

    Modern Amazon Indian mask

    July 17, 2019
108109110111112


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 ©