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  • Europe

    European Theater Mask

    July 30, 2021 / No Comments

    Q: Any idea where this is from? I inherited it from an uncle who had it in the 1950’s. He was a frequent visitor to Paris and I suspect he bought it at the Flea Market there. It is 15″ tall to the top of the ears (which look like some kind of leather).

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    Brighella from the Commedia dell’arte

    January 18, 2016

    Fasnacht mask from Bavaria

    May 31, 2017

    Carnival time is here

    January 16, 2018
  • Bali & Java

    Java Monkey Mask

    July 13, 2021 / No Comments

    Q:  I purchased this from an antique store for $75. Carved from a single piece of wood with a small purple gemstone inset on the forehead. Measures approximately 9 inches from forehead to chin, about 5.5 inches deep, and 5.5 inches across. Store owner said she purchased as part of a lot of masks from a collector at auction. Was labeled as possible exorcism mask from Nepal. – Shannon

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    Mahakala: The Multifaceted Protector Deity in Art and Ritual

    May 2, 2024

    Javanese masks

    January 2, 2015

    Bagong mask from Java

    May 4, 2020
  • Africa

    Northern Rhodesia Mask (now Zambia)

    June 28, 2021 / No Comments

    Q: My mother ordered this mask from a collector in Northern Rhodesia in 1949. (now Zambia). There is a letter from him and a note in the back mentioning a tribe which I cannot read clearly. Maroshe? Mashona is the only tribe I could find close to that spelling. It is made of very dense, dark wood and there was at one time hair attached as topnotch and beard? It may have suffered from the many moves of a Navy family over the years, or it may have come like this.

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    Mwano Pwo mask

    December 27, 2014

    Baga Nimba mask from the Guinea coast

    June 29, 2017

    Masquerade during the pandemic

    December 11, 2020
  • South America

    Tikuna Animal Mask

    June 21, 2021 / 1 Comment

    Q: I am hoping that you might be able to help me identify this mask and shed some light about it’s origin/provenance/significance. My parents collected mostly African and Asian masks/statues and I consider myself to be (moderately) good at placing origin/regions, but this one completely stumps me.

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    Always go for quality

    March 21, 2014

    China Supay half-mask from Bolivia

    January 17, 2016

    Diablada mask from Ecuador

    January 8, 2017
  • Unknown

    A Mystery Mask

    June 16, 2021 / 1 Comment

    Q:  I am a collector of Roman and Greek archaeological finds. A few days ago for my birthday they gave me this mask. I just don’t know about masks and I don’t know what culture or era it can go back to. It is about 6 cm long. Unfortunately, I can’t even understand what material it is made of. It could be lead. Alex

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    Decorative or authentic

    August 30, 2015

    Popular tourist mask from somewhere

    December 13, 2018

    Where is this mask from?

    October 22, 2013
  • Featured

    Ask Us About Your Mask

    September 15, 2017 /

    Do you have a mask you’d like to learn more about? Or maybe you have a seriously cool mask you want to show us? This free service includes a brief description and sometimes an opinion of your mask. It is not an appraisal… however, we might put a bold-faced letter grade that suggests value at the end of the description.

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  • Bali & Java

    This big Barong is meant to scare

    November 7, 2015 / No Comments

    Q: I am trying to gather as much material on the masks I own….for my children. I never bothered to write down how much they cost, where I got them and when. Wish I was more diligent. The photos are of a large wood carved mask. Do not know anything about it. Was bought at a indoor flea market. Any thoughts? Mickey, 856 A: Barong masks are used in village ceremonies held in rural Bali and Java. These large, heavy masks must be held with the aid of two handles protruding from the rear. The mouth can be moved up and down. This one is of a boar, but there…

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    Javanese tourist mask

    February 16, 2018

    Javanese traditional dance mask

    October 19, 2017

    Garuda mask from Bali

    May 23, 2016
  • Mexico

    Unusual Mexican bird mask

    November 6, 2015 / No Comments

    Q: Looking through your older posts, I saw an unknown mask (Nov. 2013) which resembles one I have. Mine has a bird on the front. Very light wood. Bought with another one at a flea market. It has a tag inside which has the following: S. Pedro Teozacoalco. dist. Zaaohila. Mexico. It also has the following (which I translated using google translations): “The godmother of the bride (or groom) mask. Used during the blessing ceremony.” Any thoughts on its age, or what the inscription S. Pedro Teozacoalco means? Mickey, 855 A: I asked Bryan Stevens, the most knowledgeable collector of Mexican masks I know, about this.

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    Another Mexican decorative mask

    July 10, 2019

    History of Mexican masks

    February 21, 2018

    New Parachico mask from Mexico

    September 22, 2018
  • Africa

    Pwo mask from the Congo

    November 4, 2015 / No Comments

    Q: I found this mask the other day at a local thrift shop. The wooden portion is about 12″ tall, 6″ wide, and 2″ deep. It has carved decorations on the face including a swastika on each side of the chin. There is a wicker armature attached to the mask that holds the hair in place. On the inside of is what looks like sheets of moss. There is a knot, about 2″ wide, like a bun, in the hair at the top of the head. The hair is a mass of pieces of crude rope. Some of the rope ends are cut and others have large knots tied in…

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    Decorating vs. Collecting

    March 25, 2014

    Boolean version of African mask

    February 4, 2018

    Why are real African masks so hard to find?

    September 10, 2013
  • Bali & Java

    Comedy character from Java

    November 3, 2015 / No Comments

    Q: “I will always answer your email.” Quote from you, Bob. Well, I haven’t heard word one from you. I first submitted my mask about a year ago, I think. When I hadn’t heard anything for several months and reviewed your site and did not see it, I resubmitted my photos. Still no word. I’m still very interested in any information you might give me. Let me try this again. Joanne, 853 A: Joanne, thank you for being so patient with me. I hope I can deserve it.

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    Another unusual Balinese mask

    February 21, 2018

    Love it or hate it

    October 23, 2013

    Full Balinese mask

    February 21, 2018
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Quiz - Test Your Mask Knowledge

Click Here Take The Quiz

Mystery Mask Value Code

A - high value*

B - collectible*

C - decorative art

D - low value

* A and B do not always imply higher dollar value. Most masks get a C or D, however I usually don't post them.

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