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  • South America

    A very toothy grin

    August 7, 2014 / 1 Comment

    Q:  Appreciate your opinion. Would this mask be Tlingit?  Jack, 668 A:  No.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Bolivian Devil Mask with Lizard

    March 7, 2017

    Euro-Mexican mask

    August 4, 2016

    Amazon Indian spirit mask

    February 21, 2016
  • Unknown

    Here is a real mystery

    August 4, 2014 / 1 Comment

    Q:  I’ve picked up two masks recently. One is really unusual. It looks carved but almost like another skin substance has been placed over the face. It has corn type hair and big teeth. Pretty weird stuff.  Eileen, 667 A:  Far out!

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    Bob Ibold

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    Yao shaman’s mask

    August 3, 2018

    Another exciting mystery mask

    December 9, 2017

    Very puzzling

    May 7, 2016
  • India & Himalayas

    Deformity masks heal the sick

    August 2, 2014 / No Comments

    Q:  I found this at a thrift shop in Boca Raton. So it is likely completely out of context. They didn’t want much for it, so I bought it, but I can’t really figure out where it is from? It is very small, more of a decorative carving at 6″ X 4″.  Rick, A:  You found an exorcism mask from Sri Lanka.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Sri Balaram mask from India

    July 12, 2017

    From an island off the tip of India

    August 23, 2017

    Great little Sri Lankan mask

    October 14, 2015
  • India & Himalayas

    Unusual carved wood bird

    July 30, 2014 / 4 Comments

    Q:  Thanks again for doing that quick assessment for us here. I’m not sure what will happen with the masks, but your information is extremely helpful in deciding. I have another question if you wouldn’t mind. I now have one more mask. Is there anything you can tell me about this piece? I don’t intend to sell it. I just really liked it and am curious if I can learn anything about it.  Lynn, 665 I’m not sure about this one.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Old mask from Himachal, India

    May 6, 2020

    A smile from the Himalayas

    June 2, 2014

    Himalayan shaman’s mask

    June 7, 2018
  • India & Himalayas

    A Magic Dragon from the Himalayans

    July 30, 2014 / No Comments

    Q:  Here is the Bhutan dragon mask I bought a couple of years ago. It is about a foot long. The black strap you see in the photo I added and the mask sits more on top of your head then in front of it. I have seen this of other photos of Bhutanese mask wearers. Also you see through the mouth of the mask because is sits on your fore head and just in front of your eyes. It is an Asian style dragon that has the branched horns and thin white whiskers, but what is cool is the typical mustache that many Bhutanese men wear.  Ray, 664 A: …

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    Bob Ibold

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    Small Indian paper mask

    February 19, 2019

    Mahakala mask from Nepal

    January 15, 2016

    Primitive Nepalese mask

    October 17, 2019
  • Europe

    Believe it or not

    July 21, 2014 / 3 Comments

    Q:  I just got back from the U.K., and there was an amazing medieval executioner’s mask in the Tower of London, but it was black on a black background with glass in front and very low light, so I wasn’t able to get a good photo (tripod would have been impossible because of the massive crowds of people). But someone got a relatively good shot of it and posted it, so here it is.  Aaron, 663 A:  The world of masquerade can be a wild and crazy place.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Art from the forests and mountains

    July 3, 2014

    Something different

    November 3, 2013

    Masterpiece from Europe

    October 14, 2016
  • East Asia

    Old monkey mask from SW China

    July 20, 2014 / No Comments

    Every so often I plan to repeat one of my favorite masks posted years back. This one is a Nuo monkey mask from Jinguan village, Anshun district, Guizhou provincial territory. It’s an 8.3 inch thin carving with a sturdy native repair. The old Nuo mask was obviously used for a great many years and the wear has resulted in a wonderful patina. The monkey’s face is portrayed with deftly carved lines and each eye is highlighted with a  metal tack. In my opinion– Chinese folk art at its best. Masks like this are becoming hard to find.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Why such a distorted Japanese mask?

    September 17, 2018

    Old khon mask

    March 10, 2018

    Chinese Nuo mask from Hunan

    April 8, 2019
  • Mexico

    Where did the snakes come from?

    July 17, 2014 / No Comments

    Q:  I just found this mask at an estate sale.  I have no information about it and cannot find anything similar online. I’m speculating that it is old and authentic. Any information would be immensely helpful in appraising it.   Lori, 661 A:  It is common for people to speculate that a carved wood mask may have considerable monetary value.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Old skull mask from Mexico

    May 13, 2016

    Mexican Mermaid Mask

    April 12, 2016

    Fancy Mexican mask

    December 12, 2017
  • Africa

    Interesting but unusual

    July 16, 2014 / 2 Comments

    Q:  I bought this on ebay years ago. I know nothing about masks, but I like all things old! It is developing significant cracks. There are several small holes that look like they could possibly accommodate feathers of some sort. There are also two small holes on each side that probably were used to attach some sort of string or strap to wear the mask.The mask measures 19 inches by 7 inches. I’m not sure about the type of wood, but it is very heavy. any help would be greatly appreciated.  Chris, 660 A:  The Bwa people of Burkina Faso in West Afrrica is a wild guess,

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    Bob Ibold

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    Decorative masks can be fun

    February 7, 2016

    Hemba helmet mask from the DRC

    July 19, 2020

    Complex African traditional art

    September 15, 2018
  • Africa

    Some African masks are scary

    July 14, 2014 / No Comments

    A:  This mask was given to me by my mother-in-law who lived in the Ivory Coast from 1948 – 1993. She expressed the rarity of the mask but never explained which tribe it came from. It is 15 1/2 inches from ear tip to ear tip and 11 1/2 inches from top to bottom. My wife’s parents were great collectors of antique African art and when they gave me this mask, they intimated that it was one of the nicer pieces in their collection. Can you please try and identify where the mask came from and if it is truly rare, thanks.  Gary, 659 B: This is called a Kaogle…

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    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    From the Bamum of Cameroon

    February 21, 2017

    Decorating vs. Collecting

    March 25, 2014

    Leopard mask from Mali

    August 29, 2016
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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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