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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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    Rare Oceanic Mask

    February 28, 2017

    Sepic River area mask

    June 15, 2016

    Abelam yam mask from PNG

    June 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.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Kali masks from India

    April 26, 2018

    We’ve never seen this one

    August 15, 2013

    A Magic Dragon from the Himalayans

    July 30, 2014
  • 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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    A Barong mask that seems too small

    January 10, 2014

    Real masks from Lombok

    December 5, 2016

    Is this Balinese mask old?

    September 12, 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.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Huge Korean lion mask

    June 22, 2019

    Bone mask or not?

    May 3, 2015

    Little Borneo mask

    February 7, 2015
  • 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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    Chhau masks are used by millions

    July 15, 2020

    Some Himalayan masks are blackened by smoke

    January 11, 2014

    India has important traditions of masquerade

    May 9, 2015
  • 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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    Unusual mask from the Congo

    October 7, 2013

    A Mystery Mask

    November 29, 2017

    Mysterious Pende mask

    September 6, 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.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Maybe old and used

    July 2, 2014

    Dan/We/Guere mask that looks old

    February 5, 2018

    Big mask from Tanzania

    February 16, 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.

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    Bob Ibold

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    A woman’s mask from West Africa

    April 7, 2017

    African owl mask with handle

    April 28, 2017

    Another clay piece, but not a mask

    December 19, 2017
  • 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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    The Dayak people’s favorite

    June 11, 2014

    Japanese Noh theater monkey mask

    March 5, 2019

    Many Japanese masks are for display

    April 9, 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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    Pre-Columbian masks & statues

    November 26, 2019

    Indian cloth mask from Ecuador

    March 13, 2018

    South American Indian mask

    February 24, 2019
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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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