• 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

    Mudman mask from PNG

    July 27, 2016

    Hat mask from Vanuatu in Solomon Is.

    September 29, 2020

    Dayak shaman’s mask from Borneo

    May 31, 2018
  • 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

    India has important traditions of masquerade

    May 9, 2015

    Black old man from Mongolia

    December 27, 2017

    Mahakala: The Multifaceted Protector Deity in Art and Ritual

    May 2, 2024
  • 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

    Village mask from Java

    December 16, 2018

    Good old or bad old?

    December 18, 2014

    Javanese tourist mask

    February 16, 2018
  • 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

    Mask from Timor, East Asia

    August 23, 2018

    Chinese decorative art

    July 10, 2017

    Maori design on masks and tattoos

    April 1, 2014
  • 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

    Jeweled bronze Mahakala

    March 5, 2018

    India has important traditions of masquerade

    May 9, 2015

    New Kathmandu tourist mask

    March 9, 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

    Another water spirit from Nigeria

    October 19, 2018

    Igbo mask

    September 5, 2016

    Babanki elephant mask from Cameroon

    May 27, 2020
  • 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

    Hemba helmet mask from the DRC

    July 19, 2020

    Perfect reproduction of Tsogo mask

    February 25, 2019

    Taking photos of your Mystery Mask

    June 19, 2017
  • 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

    Authentic Chokwe pig mask

    February 10, 2018

    Why You Probably Shouldn’t Buy That African Mask (But We Know You Will Anyway)

    August 15, 2023

    Decorative African mask

    January 10, 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.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Asian mask for decor or memories

    September 14, 2015

    The best Noh masks are carved wood

    August 21, 2013

    Hawaiian warrior’s mask

    June 9, 2015
  • 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

    PreColumbian clay mask, maybe

    January 9, 2017

    2000-yr-old mask from Argentina

    April 28, 2018

    This guy has quite a nose

    November 16, 2013
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 ©