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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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    Tikuna Animal Mask

    June 21, 2021

    Metal monkey mask from Bolivia

    May 26, 2019

    Mama Negra mask from Ecuador

    May 21, 2019
  • 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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    Mask made from a turtle shell

    November 12, 2017

    The Mask Man is stumped again.

    December 8, 2013

    Decor items vs. artifacts

    November 23, 2017
  • 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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    Indian mystery mask

    June 22, 2017

    Mahakala mask from Nepal

    January 15, 2016

    Jeweled bronze Mahakala

    March 5, 2018
  • 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

    You May Also Like

    Valuable Kolam mask

    October 3, 2020

    Mukaha mask from NE India

    December 6, 2017

    Traditional Sri Lankan mask

    April 17, 2015
  • 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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    Tribal mask from Nepal Middle Hills

    September 7, 2017

    Indian folk art at its best

    March 11, 2015

    Animal mask from Nepal

    May 2, 2016
  • 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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    The scary Buso from Hungary

    September 6, 2016

    Old European mask?

    February 21, 2020

    Traditional folk art from the Alps

    September 8, 2015
  • 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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    Nuo mask from Guangxi, China

    August 24, 2017

    Iban mask from Borneo

    February 11, 2015

    Japanese Noh theater monkey mask

    March 5, 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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    Attack of the powderpost beetles

    July 28, 2016

    Mexican masks are very collectible

    September 6, 2019

    Mexican deer mask

    February 28, 2018
  • 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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    Well-known African mask

    December 18, 2014

    African mask missing its jaw

    November 21, 2018

    Red Dan mask

    April 29, 2019
  • 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

    The sixth Chewa mask

    November 1, 2020

    African iron mask

    February 25, 2017

    One of my favorite masks… Chewa

    January 13, 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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