Q: I would like to find out where this mask is actually from and what it represents. I bought it 14 years ago in a decoration boutique in Belgium, where I live, for 100 dollars. The guy told me it was Indonesian, but I’ve always had a doubt. It is made of wood, it is quite heavy. It is rather a wall decoration, as it is not carved at the back. Many thanks for any details you may give me. Valerie, 580 A: This is a handsome portrayal of Garuda, an important bird-like god that appears in both Hindu and Buddhist mythology throughout Asia.
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Very strange mask
Q: Looks old & crudely carved wooden mask with animal, about 10″ tall, wood is light some cracking, no idea where from or what age, what do you think, Thanks, George, 579 A: This could win “Strangest Mask of the Year.”
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Rich masquerade in the Andes
Q: I would really appreciate your help identifying the mystery mask and costume. I bought these for $100 total from a guy who said they were from Peru. The back is as fancy as the front. I see some Ecuadorian (Diablo Umo-type) characteristics here, but I admit this thing is a total mystery to me. Nothing I’ve seen or read about remotely resembles it. Any ideas? Aaron, 578 A: Peru sounds right to me.
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Something different
Q: Bought this mask online several years ago. I’m guessing it’s Swiss or Italian. The nose and chin were carved to appear “split” down the center. The wood is dense and smells like cedar.Teeth are plastic. No idea of age but it appears to be older. Any ideas as to origin? Dan A: I agree with you– it’s an unusual mask.
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Mexican decoratives can be fun
Q: I am new to mask collecting, but am definitely interested in learning about all kinds of masks. This particular mask is a favorite in my collection. It is wooden and definitely hand painted. I bought it for a dollar at a yard sale from a nice Asian family — I believe they were Japanese. If you can give me any information about it, I would surely appreciate it! Desmond, 576 A: Your piece is Mexican,
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Primitive shaman’s mask from the Himalayas
Q: I bought this mask from an old Tibetan refugee merchant in Dharamsala last month. He didn’t speak much English, but claimed that this mask was from Tibet and that it is more than hundred years old. I took this information with a grain of salt. To me, it does not look particularly Tibetan and what comes to it’s age, it seems quite impossible to tell, but looks a bit newer. It is very crudely crafted and quite unlike any of the other masks I saw around. Quite heavy and of hard wood. I liked it’s strangeness and bought it for a reasonable asking price. Aki, 575
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Beautiful discovery from the Congo
Q: Dear members of African Arts group. I would like to ask for a help to identify this beautiful and highly expressive mask. http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/African_Arts/photos/albums/52889153 I have purchased it as a ‘Kwame’ mask, however, my colleague from France suggested possible Zande influence. At the same time there are certain characteristics of Lega visual language articulated here. Thank you very much. David, 574 A: The question was sent to the African_Arts groups first.
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I love delivering good news
Q: My daughter was given this mask by a friend. Unfortunately she does not know any details about it. It is quite large, about 2.5 feet high and about 18 inches wide. Any help with identifying this mask would be great. Thanks for your help. Ted, 573 A: I believe this is an older and well used mask from Sri Lanka.
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More about tourist carvings
A few days ago someone sent pictures of this carved head to African_Arts, the Yahoo discussion group. She was asking for more information about the piece. (It reminds me of some masks that have been sent to the Mask Man.) One of the group’s members wrote the following answer, which I found very interesting, especially after just writing the previous post. Here it is.
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Tourist masks are plentiful
Most of the photos sent in are of tourist masks. Here are nine different ones, and I have seen each of them hundreds of times. These and other designs are being manufactured in many different countries. They are plentiful and quite affordable… if you do some comparison shopping, but don’t pay a lot of money for them. I always reply to the sender, but rarely post these tourist masks on the Mystery Mask blog. That’s because they are not worn in culture, nor can I be sure where they were made. A mask bought in Port-au-Prince could have been imported from Indonesia.
