Q: I know very little about this mask. I took it, along with quite a few similar items, from a house my friends bought from an elderly lady being moved into a nursing home. She had no family, so we had the task of cleaning out the house. This mask is 8″ high and 7″ wide. Most of the other decorative items I collected seem to be from the American Southwest. One statue that looks to be from South America has a very old price tag that says $90, and it seems the most similar to this mask, so I thought maybe the mask would have some value. Even if…
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1500 photos & descriptions of masks
The “Ask the Mask Man” blog has reached 1500. In addition to the website, there are almost 1000 in our book, Masks of the World. Combined, this is by far the largest reference for masks anywhere! Thank you for your participation. Bob & Troy
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Amazon tribal mask
Q: I hope that this mask interests you. It was an eBay purchase for $50 a few months ago. Interestingly there are pieces of broken glass glued inside the eye holes. Also the teeth seem to be made from cut off pieces of a saw. The cape appears to have been made from beaten plant fiber. The seller was not sure where it came from. Steven, 1500 A: The Amazon rain forest is huge, taking up about half of the continent. There are still a number of indigenous Indians living in the remote areas, though many of the tribes have been killed or assimilated. Yes, I am very interested in…
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Village mask from Java
Q: I just bought this mask on Ebay for $45. I believe that it is from Bali. What interested me is the leather tab seen on the inside of the mask, possible to be used by a dancer to hold on to it. I thought you might be interested in the photos. Thanks, Deb, 1499 A: On Feb 16 of this year someone sent in an interesting mask. I answered: “It is from Java, but not old. It is easy to see that this decorative wall-hanging was quickly carved, painted with some nice colors, and then antiqued to make it look old. Antiquing is easy to do with stained varnish…
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Old Java mask with nice patina
Balinese masks, the most dramatic
Old Balinese mask
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Citipati (Ging) Mask From Tibet
I believe this is an older Ging mask per the following information I found on the net. “In the Himalayan Buddhist Cham dances 3 different levels of skull masks & skeleton costumes are used. The lowest level of skeleton dancers are the Ging, boy monks who dance in a basic costume and skull mask. They play a semi-comical character and have no skull diadem and no ear decorations– no adornments of any kind. This can be considered the entry-level of skeleton dancers.” Dan, 1498 A: Dan is a very serious collector and I am pleased he is sharing this with us. Study it carefully. This is authentic, old and used…
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Nice Mahakala mask from Tibet
Q: I collect different items that I like. I started with african masks and continue with others. Here I would like to show one of the three masks that I prefer (guess they are from Nepal). They are made of strong papier mache. Monica, 1497 A: Mahakala is a tantric Buddhist deity of the Vajrayana tradition. He is one of the most important protector of dharma, and considered to be the wrathful and fierce emanation of Avalokiteshvara and Cakrasaṃvara. Mahakala is also worshiped by Hindus as an ultimate manifestation of Lord Shiva and consort of Kali (Maha-Kali) representing the destructive power of Brahman. The common element of the Mahakala mask…
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Popular tourist mask from somewhere
Q: I’d like to know more about where this mask is from. I received it as a gift from a guy who didn’t know anything about it. It looks like horse hair around the mask. Tim, 1496 A: People have sent many of these masks to me over the years. I always answer with a disappointing “I think its a tourist mask from somewhere in Asia.” Maybe one of our viewers can remember where they are made.
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Chokwe Pwo mask of Angola or DRC
Q: I’m very excited about this submission! When I bought this mask I was told it is from Mali. The seller claimed it to be as old as 200 years but I have a hard time believing that (the red fabric presents an elastic hinge and I’m quite sure it comes from a modern garment). Besides it cost me only 100 euros. The face piece is wood, but I can’t tell which kind. It has burlap parts, hay, sea shells, and feathers on top. Could it be a Dogon dance mask? Thank you for any info or opinion you will share! Gianluca, 1495 A: I’m excited too… but sellers of…
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Why we collect masks
We collect for two reasons: art and anthropology. Some collectors lean toward one or the other, but it’s the combination of the two that is so enjoyable. Art can be many things. In the case of most masks it is both sculpture and painting. When the artists of Europe in the 19th century first saw masks imported from West Africa, they were stunned. Gradually the style of modern art began to change on both sides of the Atlantic. I love the beauty of tribal masks and that is the first thing I look for. Anthropology is equally important. Exactly in what culture was the mask used or meant to be…
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Help identify a mask. India?
Q: Please identify. I need help if you can. Marion, 1493 A: I found this mask to be quite interesting. The material of construction is unrecognizable, none the less, it is well made and something that is authentic tribal art. Once I saw a heavy wood mask from southern India that looked much different but had the same pitchfork symbol on its forehead. Is the red character on the left rear a clue? Otherwise, this mask is a total mystery to me. Incidentally, Marion didn’t leave a correct email address so I could not ask her the usual what, where, when and how much. Please enlarge the photos and…
