Puppet heads can fit into a mask collection very nicely. This 36 inch high antelope could easily be the largest “mask” on your living room wall. The Bozo people of Mali enjoy puppet performance done outside in a curtained enclosure where the puppeteers manipulate their characters by working from below with an extended rod. This one is Daje, a roan antelope who’s mouth and the little farmer with a hoe between his horns, can be activated with strings from below. It resembles a mask until you look at the rear. Another nice thing about African puppet heads is they come from actual performers who have used them. They are true…

Q:  I found this mask in Tanzania and I have not seen anything like it before. The seller claimed it was a mask used in moon ceremonies. The raffia is not original. It is a thin mask so I could not really get a side photo. The white portion is sunk in though. It is also very light in weight. One of the unique aspects of the mask is that the holes down the nose and across the brow have a metallic luster. The sheen appears to be some light colored impurities (sand? clay?) that have settled or been placed into these darkened grooves. There are also reflective small sparkles…

Q:  You recently answered a question about a mask I was looking at. You suggested purchasing true artifacts or quality replicas. Are the NOVICA masks considered quality replicas? I appreciate all your help.  Ray, 1124   A:  I admire that NOVICA  (owned by National Geographic) for representing artists from third world countries and paying them more than they would get from other buyers. The first Baule ram mask was made by one of their talented carvers. It can be purchased from NOVICA at a very reasonable price.  The second mask is from another internet dealer and its price is five times higher. It looks like it’s old and used, but…

Q:  I picked this mask up recently. It was just too interesting to pass up. After looking around a bit I really can’t find much information other than it’s possibly a Dan mask from Africa. It measures approximately 17″ long x 7″ wide. Any information would be appreciated.  Todd, 1118 A:  The masks of the Dan culture of Liberia and Ivory Coast are among the most easily recognized of Africa. The forehead and round eyes remind you of their Deangle masks, but this bird mask has a huge beak that sets it apart. Occasionally we see other animal masks used by the Dan that represent monkeys and crocodiles. I believe…

Q:  I found this picture online. I saw a similar piece in an auction. The expert talked about a Senufo death mask. Could you let me know your opinion about the origin of this kind of mask?  Nicolas, 1113 A:  I’ve never heard of a Senufo death mask, however there are masks similar to this made by the Bamana and Dogon people of Mali. Their blacksmiths would do the smelting to get the iron from the ore, then heat and hammer out both the tools, weapons and the important ritual objects used in the culture. I know nothing about the usage of iron masks. Perhaps most of them are for…

Q:  I bought this mask on eBay last year for $65. The seller did not know much about it, but some research on my end leads me to believe that it is from  Cameroon.  Does it look at all authentic to you?  The reason that I ask is that there are no holes on the sides for wearing it.  Thanks very much.  Fred, 1111 A:  The famous author Ladislas Segy says this kind of mask was worn by the Bamum and Bamileke people at the beginning of the hunt and at the new-moon ceremonies. This particular carving is for export or sale to the tourist trade. Authentic African masks are…

It is 11 by 23 inches and weighs 9 pounds. I have seen a few monster masks photographed by anthropologists doing field work in West Africa, but I don’t remember the details. This one has a wonderful, traditional design that I think I’ve seen before on a normal sized carving. There is dark stain front and back that has been partially rubbed off. It could be a tourist mask, but why make it this big and difficult to ship?  Please help!  Note to smartphone users: those are not little white fangs in the mouth.  Bob, 1107 Save Save Save Save

Q:  Every year in Tucson, there is a Gem & Mineral Show that lasts about a week and takes over most of the city.  Among other things, they also have an “African Village” where sellers from all over Africa come to hawk their wares.  Most of it is tourist trash, but every once in a while someone shows up with a gem. This comes from the Ekoi (aka Ejagham) people of the Cross Rivers area of Nigeria.  Other than it being a helmet mask of an antelope, I’m not sure what type it is. The other Ekoi animal masks I’ve seen had a more crocodile look to them. Maybe someone…

Q:  This mask is one of a pair. The other is of a similar size and design but the details are slightly different. Both are approx. 16″ high. I’m pretty sure I bought them 15-20 years ago at a thrift store in Miami for approx. $50 for the pair. I doubt they’re valuable, but I plan to mount them on stands and would like to identify their area of origin. Appreciate your opinion!  Tim, 1093 A:  I have posted a Kpelie mask about a year ago. It is #982 in the “Africa” category of the blog archives. Yours is an average reproduction of a classic West African traditional mask that…