Q: This isn’t a mystery mask, but I thought it was a nice find for $27. It’s a German Hexe mask, I believe from Offenburg. The mask itself is about 13″H and it has an attached scarf, which drapes over a wire frame that’s attached to the mask. Dan, 1341 At the beginning of the thirties the first witches appeared in the organized Swabian-Alemannic Fasnet. They were the Offenburg witches, who were officially founded on Epiphany in 1936. Unlike the rather deliberate fool, the witch is a figure with whom one can do a lot. Witches are free, they can climb, can make Radau, build pyramids and annoy the spectators.…
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New mask from Michoacan
This is a recently made Mexican mask that most collectors would want. I believe it is either a Hermit or a Moor from somewhere in the state of Michoacan. The carver is very talented so one of our visitors might be able to tell us his name and village. New masks are more affordable than used ones.
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Old Guatemalan mask
Here is an old conquistador dance mask that hasn’t been used a lot. Expressively carved from hardwood, the eyebrows, eyelashes, hair and upper lip show remnants of black paint, while the teeth have traces of white. His wavy side-parted hair and long sideburns were characteristic of the Spaniards depicted in these dances. His glass eyes are now missing. There is no morreria mark that I can see. I still like it!
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Puerto Rican art mask
This is a beautifully papier mache Vejigante mask that is too expensive to wear in a Ponce or San Juan carnival. It’s made for serious mask and art collectors. From an anthropological standpoint it certainly demonstrates the wonderful influence African culture had on modern Caribbean foik art. Please enlarge and look at the detail. v
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Special Mahakala mask from Himalayas
Q: I purchased this mask 20 years ago in an antique shop here in Portugal. I have taken good care of it, it looks +/- as it did at the time of purchase. It has a seal on the inside. The gold paint has been painted over what used to be yellow. I was under the impression it was a Thai mask but after checking your website I believe it might be Balinese? Duarte, 1337 A: Mahakalas come in many styles. This larger one with its mustache and other interesting details is not like any I have seen before. It may have been used in culture because no attempt at…
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Chhau mask needs headdress
Q: Here is one of the Chhau masks Karen gave me, sans headpiece or crown. Would appreciate anyone giving me an idea of how I can get a headpiece for the mask. Thanks, Mickey 1336 A: Purulia, India, has a rich folk culture and is the birth place of the martial arts dance of Bengal called Chhau. In this tradition the dancers are men that are usually armed. This character is supposed to be a woman who would wear something pretty on her head. This missing headpiece could be purchased in India, but that is something I know nothing about? The cover photo of my book, Masks of the World,…
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Protest masks
I like ethnographic masks from all over the world; also protest, protective, steampunk and sex. You can go thru our archives and see just about everything. In my book, Masks of the World, non-ethnographic masks are covered in pages 166-180. Today we have a Guy Fawkes mask (and another one) used for protests. Not shown are the many masks that portray political personalities. Using masks to cover the face helps protestors in many countries avoid arrest, jail, and even worse. Follow this link to learn more about Guy Fawkes.
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Mwana Ngulu mask from the Chokwe people
Q: Q: I recently purchased this mask at an auction on Catawiki. I like it very much but I am not sure how genuine it is. Maybe you can help me with your knowledge. I do know it is a Ngulu Boar/Pig Mask and recent. Duarte, 1334 A: The mask is made of wood and painted with brown and black kaolin.The mane is made of strips of curled black fabric. It represents a domesticated pig that performs tricks. These masks are used during magical dance rituals in which the dancer is on all fours. The Chokwe can be found in Angola and the DRC. This mask is a nice reproduction.…
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Chewa mask from Malawi, Africa
Q: I’m now in Zambia and have to make a decision regarding what I should collect. There are some options, but the most outstanding ones right now are: spend time and collect original Chewa masks. The other option is to buy from tribal art dealers in Lusaka, which have connections in the Congo, combs and masks from different tribes in Angola, Congo and maybe Tanzania.What would you recommend? The Chewa masks would be original because I would buy them from the same people who use them. (I know it’s very difficult to buy them, but I already managed to buy some from Katete, Zambia, where there are also Chewa peoples). …
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Parachico mask from Southern Mexico
Q: I have recently bought this mask on the internet for about 40 USD. I am pretty sure that it is an unused Parachico mask from Chiapas, Mexico. One eyelash is missing. But I wonder about quality and age. I know nothing about Mexican masks. Can you or your visitors maybe estimate the level of quality and tell an approx age, given the style? Thanks, Chris 1382 A: You got this for a very good price. It is new. Most of the Santeros (professional carvers) make additional Parachicos for sale to tourists. Though it could have been made recently, this has been going for over a 100 years. Barbara Mauldin…
