• 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
  • Mexico

    Show stopper from Guerrero

    October 6, 2014 / No Comments

    Q:  Just got this mask and have searched 1000’s of pages on the net and cant even find where it may be from please help!  Anne, 689 A:  Tourist masks (also called decoratives) have been made in Guerrero, Mexico, for more than a 100 years. They’re always antiqued to look old and used. By the 1960’s their designs were getting more elaborate and experimental. I have never seen one like yours and may not ever again. They still appeal to certain types of art collectors. Perhaps you would like to go this route, but be careful not to pay too much money for them. They don’t hold their value well.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Old Devil masks for tourists

    July 1, 2015

    Leather mask from Mexico

    October 28, 2016

    Terrific Mexican mask

    May 30, 2018
  • Caribbean

    I call this Caribbean

    October 1, 2014 / No Comments

    Q:  33 inches, painted paper mache believe to be from South America. Got it from a friend as a gift. Had a horn off the top of the head but is missing. The outer horn looks like it was to fit inside another horn that is still inside the mask. Mask is large enough to fit over your head. Can you give approx. value and let us know if this is something we should hold onto?  George, 688 A: From Panama, the people who make these big papier mache Diablico Sucio masks are obviously influenced by the Caribbean, and this is true of other parts of Central America as well

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Brunca Devil mask

    June 5, 2014

    Elaborate Dominican masks

    September 11, 2016

    4 Jamaican Jonkonnu dancers

    March 11, 2018
  • Mexico

    High-end Mexican mask

    September 29, 2014 / No Comments

    Q: I have a lot of very good Mexican Dance masks that I bought from a collector in Mexico City when I lived there a few years ago but I don’t have one of these http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=301332462024. Could it possibly be worth this kind of money?  Christophe, 687 A:  This is indeed a very desirable mask. It is called a Parachico and is made in Chiapa de Corzo, Chiapas, Mexico.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Mexican tin mask for tourist

    June 15, 2020

    The famous Barbones mask

    March 18, 2014

    Hermit mask from Michoacan

    August 17, 2018
  • Mexico

    A different kind of devil

    September 25, 2014 / 3 Comments

    Q:  Nathan D. suggested that I contact you regarding the pair of masks that I bought from a well known financier’s estate. He purchased them from a gallery in NYC in the late 70’s. I was told by his son that they are “Mexican Death Masks”, but everyone that I have shown them to, has no idea what they are and has never seen anything like them. I am an African art collector but was so fascinated by them that I had to have them. They are constructed of hand painted thick, leather, genuine goat horns and goat hair, I believe. The insides of the masks are woven. The black…

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    You can collect decoratives

    November 21, 2020

    Good-looking tigre mask

    September 23, 2016

    Mexican decoratives can be fun

    October 30, 2013
  • Africa

    A favorite type of African mask

    September 25, 2014 / No Comments

    Q:  This mask looks like ebony wood.  It is 20″ x 9″ wide.  It was a gift from a friend who traveled extensively.  I have had it since the 1990’s.  Cheryl, 685 A:  We see thousands of masks of this basic design and, frankly, in never get tired of looking at them. Here is a little more information.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    African monkey mask

    November 3, 2016

    Nice Chewa mask from Malawi

    July 8, 2020

    Baga Nimba mask from the Guinea coast

    June 29, 2017
  • Africa

    Is it as old as it looks?

    September 18, 2014 / 2 Comments

    Q:  Please check out this mask. The seller says it is old (I know they always say this). If you want I can send you few more close-ups. Your opinion is very appreciated. Reminds Luba but these horns.. And also the stitches, were they made on purpose so the mask looks old? Or are they real? The mask has 2 holes at sides and 3 holes for the beard. This is Kigali, Rwanda. Thank you.  Sayn, 684 A:  It’s a horned Kayamba mask from the Lega people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    New 3-piece model

    January 26, 2014

    Ogoni mask with hinged jaw

    June 19, 2019

    Reproduction of Lega mask

    April 22, 2018
  • Bali & Java

    Is this Balinese mask old?

    September 12, 2014 / No Comments

    Q:  Hi, my mother recently acquired this mask when a relative passed away, and I was really curious as to what the mask was depicting and how it may have been used. She thinks it is from Bali, but I have no idea. Thank you for your time!  Zack, 683 A:  Your mother is right. It is a beat up Rangda mask that might actually be an antique.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Love it or hate it

    October 23, 2013

    The famous Rangda mask

    July 1, 2018

    Sometimes repairs are a good idea

    December 30, 2015
  • Mexico

    Cheap Mexican decorative

    September 9, 2014 / 1 Comment

    Q:  Can you tell me something about this triple head (man and some type of animals) mask.  Made of wood.  I don’t know anything about it but need to sell it and want to say the truth about the mask.  Thanks,  Tina, 682 A:  About 40 years ago I bought my first mask. It was an inexpensive but very colorful piece that was made by the same group of carvers in Guerrero, Mexico, that made yours.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    6 Mexican Devil masks

    November 18, 2018

    Old Huave mask from Oaxaca

    September 12, 2015

    Great mask show in Lancaster, PA

    August 30, 2015
  • Africa

    Hard to recognize East African

    September 7, 2014 / No Comments

    Q:  I purchased this mask from an auction or estate sale and was wondering if you could tell me if it’s a tourist mask or actual tribal. Thank you. David, 681 A:  I was having trouble identifying this mask and asked my friend Aaron to help. His first choice was the Makonde people who live in both Tanzania and Mozambique.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Is masquerade still alive in Africa?

    October 1, 2018

    Old Dogon masks from Mali

    May 11, 2018

    More from the Congo

    November 24, 2014
  • East Asia

    A little about age

    September 6, 2014 / No Comments

    Q:  This mask was bought on Borneo and is said to be from the Iban on Borneo used for rice-field ceremony. It comes from the Kapit area. I am curious whether it is authentic (indication is that it comes from the 1920’s).  Adam, 680 A:  Simple, primitive masks that look like this can be found in many cultures throughout the world including African, Himalayan, Timorese, Mexican, etc. Fortunately, you know exactly where yours was made.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Red Korean old monk mask

    August 29, 2018

    Suggestions for Mask Man

    September 24, 2016

    Beautiful Khon mask from Thailand

    June 7, 2018
110111112113114


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 ©