Q: I bought this Mask and I would like to know where it came from. It is 31 inches long I bought it from a friend who inherited it for $100. I will send the back picture in a minute.Thank you. Jean, 658 A: You lucked into a nice example of an ancestor spirit mask from one of the tribes living in the Sepik River area of Papua New Guinea.
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Mask from Nigeria, not the Congo
Q: Bob, I always avoid African stuff… that said this one caught my attention as being authentic. Figured I would share. (This was an ebay auction identified as African– possibly Chokwe or from somewhere in the Congo.) Nathan, 657 A: It is African but a Mfon Ekpo mask from Ibibio people of Southeastern Nigeria. Because you think it is authentic let’s talk about that.
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Old Javanese mask
Q: This mask was found on a flee market in Amsterdam. It measures 17 to 15 cm and is of bright light wood. However, the back is darkened considerably, I don’t know whether by wearing or by paint. It shows heavy use, does not smell and has some old blackened worm holes. A part of it and the nose fell off several times and was glued back again. There is some repainting on the face. Those eyes glow considerably in the half dark. I guess it’s a Topeng character, but I do not know which one. What do you think? How old could it be? And how could it be…
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Pair of Chi Wara “masks”
I thought this photo of two Chi Wara headdresses, both male and female versions danced by the Bamana people of Mali, was something many of you would like to see. The photo comes from the collection at Virginia Union University and was part of an excellent string of emails on the African_Arts@yahoogroups.com titled “Do authentic Chi Wara headdresses ever include applied metal strips?” Two things are accomplished by this.
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Art from the forests and mountains
Q: I just bought this Austrian Mask for a great price. Its not the 3rd or 4th German/Austrian mask that I’ve owned, that is carved in detail, carved to ergonomically be worn (such as the nose recess), yet has no holes, strings, or otherwise showing that its been used or was ever going to be used. Do you know why that is? Are they art first and wearable masks second? Left to the owner to attach strings themselves? I find that odd. Nathan, 654 A: Folk masks have been carved in Southern Germany, Switzerland, Northern Italy and Austria for many centuries.
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Maybe old and used
Q: I am fascinated by old items, but have no interest in commercial masks. This mask was found in an old explorer/adventurer estate auction. He had been traveling Africa on digs in the 50’s. I have little or no idea of the origin or age, but is sure it is not commercial, but an original. 653 A: Based on the three beautiful photos you sent in I think there may be some collector interest in this mask.
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Bamana Ntomo mask from Mali
Primitive mask from the Congo
Pair of Chi Wara “masks”
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Emit mask from Thailand
Q: Here is the latest Ermit mask I found and it is probably the best one I got so far . Comes from the personal home shrine of a Thai person I met. It’s very funny how nobody pays attention to these particular masks. Most antique dealers here focus on traditional dance Khon masks but not on Ermit masks which happen to be more interesting and more powerful because they are still used in Shamanist-Brahmanist ceremonies. Feel free to use the pic for your book if you want. Cheers , Stephff, 652 A: Thanks for your help.
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A piece of primitive Himalayan art
Q: Thanks so much for the feedback. This mask might be another wall hanging, but I wanted to send it to see if you can figure the origin. I was thinking North India or Tibet? And then again maybe Central America. I’m just awful at this! Thanks so much in advance, Christine. 651 A: I think you’re doing just fine. This is a tourist mask from Nepal which is right between North India and Tibet.
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Mexican decoratives can fool you
Q: A friend of mine purchased this mask for me at a flea market. I believe it’s a Balinese mask but I have no idea what kind or what it represents or would be used for. I would like to find out this information if possible. Can you help? Jack, 650 A: You have a double-faced Mexican tourist mask probably made in Guerrero.
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Beautiful mask from Bhutan
Q: I know almost nothing about the Yama – I won it at an auction for very little. Aaron, 649 A: Bhutan is able to support the art of fine mask-making, perhaps because it’s such a costly place to visit and the tourists have plenty of money to spend. This mask of Yama, Lord of the Underworld, is a beautiful example of what can still be purchased in that remote Himalayan country.
