A burka is a long, loose garment covering the whole body from head to feet, worn in public by many Muslim women. It does not have to be this color or design, but can vary, depending where you are located in the world of Islam. I think of it as a mask meant to protect women from tempting men and will add it to the “Protection” category in our archive. Do you think it qualifies as a real mask?
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Beautiful Khon mask from Thailand
Q: This is one I researched and found good info on. It was picked up in Thailand, and is a Khon mask, worn by actors in the traditional Ramakien dramas. This particular mask is Thotsaken, who is the chief demon in their Hindu based drama. It is actually three pieces, the first main part that goes over the actor’s head is Thotsaken, the middle piece shows multiple faces and connects to the pleasant looking face on the third top piece, which is supposed to be an angel or female heavenly being. This mask has obviously been used, and it was made with great care and painstaking attention to detail. I…
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Himalayan shaman’s mask
This Nepalese tribal mask is a crude version of a traditional Buddhist monk’s. A village shaman in the Middle Hills region of Nepal would have carved this hardwood by himself in order to perform healing, initiation and other rites. The underlying animist presence among shaman, which is clearly demonstrated here, is a significant contributing factor to the design of this mask. It shows evidence of having had much use, with a natural patina derived exclusively from being handled over many years. That’s animal hair glued to the chin. It is very old. The higher altitude of the Himalayan region greatly contributes to the preservation of wooden objects like this, whose…
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Chinese dragon mask
On the biggest holiday of the year in the most populous country in the world, various masks are worn during week-long celebrations to ring in the new year. Made from materials including stones, metal and leather, these colorful masks are designed to display the moods and emotions associated with the festival. The masks represent the deities, spirits and fabled animals that Chinese New Year mythology originated from. This one is the famous dragon of the New Year’s parade. Because of the huge Chinese diaspora you can see them in many countries around the world. In yesterday’s post there are some masks that are only seen in a few, small countries…
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West African mask festival
Every second year, there is a gathering of villagers each having their own tradition and sets of masks. Dedougou, a small city located in the west of Burkina Faso, hosts the largest international art and mask festival. In 2016, its 20th anniversary, you could see masks from around 50 different villages all over Burkina Faso, Senegal, Togo, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, and Benin. For thousand of years there have been animist belief around in West Africa, in which masks play a central role, especially for remembrance rituals symbolizing the rhythm of life. They are made from textile, straw, wood and leaves for the worship of spirits and ancestors. According to traditional…
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New Guinea wood carving
Q: I recently acquired a PNG yam ceremony carving from the Netherlander and remembered that you had a yam god mask posted on your website. Maybe you are not interested in carvings but I figure I will share them with you and as always, I’m very interested in hearing your opinions. Photos are stock, carvings are currently in transit. David, 1376 A: Your carving is certainly from Papua New Guinea and a very handsome piece of folk art. I’ve never seen a yam mask this long and narrow. How tall is it? What is that little knob for on the bottom? Perhaps you can find someone who specializes in PNG or oceanic…
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Authenticity is always a challenge
This red and green wooden mask comes from Zitlala, Guerrero, Mexico. The mask belongs to the Ruth Lechuga collection, so we know it is authentic. It was probably made by the Nahua people. These kind of Mexican masks often have insects or small animals on them. They are very entertaining. The second one also looks like an old Nahua mask, but there seems to be a hint of darkened varnish coating it. Many of these masks have been made for tourists who like the old. I can’t be sure. What do you think?
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Dayak shaman’s mask from Borneo
Unlike the red, white and black Hudok masks with their long beaks and wings, the shamans’ come in different colors and designs. They can also be rather plain with little or no color.The Iban people are one branch of the Dayak tribe of Borneo. Another large group is the Bidayu culture which occupy the region of Sarawak. Actually, the second photo is a hunters mask. You can see more Borneo masks, including the famous Hudok, in our “Oceanic” category.
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Terrific Mexican mask
Q: Attached are three pictures of a mask I recently purchased at a country auction in Massachusetts. It is made of wood, with paint and some sort of old repair. Any information would be very much appreciated! Nick, 1373 A: Nick, you have made my day. Your photography is excellent. Most people who buy a mask at a local auction or thrift store don’t get something of this high value. It’s a very old Moor mask, but I can’t identify the state or ethnic group. Who has ever seen tiny, little round eyes underneath big eye holes. I also love the startling look of the face on this enemy of…
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Ancient Greek theater mask
Education— It could be over 2000 years old. Made of fired clay, it was found in pieces but has been repaired. I don’t think we can find any western European masks that are older. Do you enjoy seeing ancient masks? Read books and visit museums. Careful reproductions can be purchased on the internet for reasonable prices. Identification— Most of the photos I receive are from people who know very little about masks and need more information. Also, there are collectors and dealers who specialize and occasionally stumble on a mystery mask that is not in their field of expertise. Value— People want to know how much their new mask is…
