Q:  Thank you so much for providing this service! I received this mask from a wealthy family as a parting gift. I was only told that it was purchased while they were abroad. They are certainly not the type of people who would appreciate any questions about the gift, but I’d love to know more about it for insurance purposes as well as my own edification.  Karen, 977 A:  Collectors often refer to the commercial masks and other carvings designed for the tourist trade as “airport art.” Though this is a derogatory term, there are some where the artistic qualities are appealing to most tourists and even some collectors. This type…

Q:  Thanks for a great appreciation of the vaquero style mask. A welcome affirmation of what I had hoped. Here are images of what I think is an old African Bwa hombo or forgeron with age and character. You have great website – love it!  Arthur, 964 A:  I rarely ask someone who sends a mask to us for something else. But I had a hunch you would please us once again. This is an above average Bwa mask, traditional in style and use of the black, red and white paints. The Bwa people are found in Burkina Faso, which is just below Mali in West Africa. Even a generalist…

Q:  Hi Bob! I was looking at this mask on the net and the seller says it appears ritually used. Do you think it’s as claimed from viewing it?  J., 959 A:  Here is what the copy says… This is an outstanding ethnographic spiritual relic imported from the Igbo tribe of Nigeria. It’s an otherworldly old ritual mask made from carved wood. It features 4 horn-like protrusions from the top of the head and a rather startling facial expression. An old cloth hangs down the back of the neck to completely conceal the identity of the wearer. This is an older, used relic with signs of ritual wear as you can see in…

Today I was sent this along with some photos of very colorful masks from Ivory Coast, West Africa. Here is the message… “I came across these videos of Zaouli dance from the Guro tribe, Ivory coast.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbLzhlR8GJc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87SLHb2cDpY&nohtml5=False  I showed these to my grandson  – now age 6 – and he said “How do they do that?”   Richard, 954 Zaouli is thought to exemplify a “new tradition” in African ritual and ceremonial dance that apparently arose after the end of colonialism and is recognized as such.  It is also associated with brightly painted masks that often incorporate snakes linked to the Mami Wata religion of West Africa that was transported…

Q:  Hello Mr Ibold. Important for me your opinion for my Kuba mask. Thank you very much.  Spyridon, 948 A:  Your Kuba mask is a Bushoong female character sometimes called ngady amwaash. If it was made in the West Kasai region of the DRC, it could be considered authentic.  In my opinion the designs, colors, beads and cowries are all very pretty, but it has been put together rather quickly compared to the older ones we see in books and museums that are more carefully detailed.  B+

Q:  Found this mask in a old home clean-out in Oak Park, IL. Owner was a ww2 vet who was an Air Force Colonel when he retired years ago.15” long and 7” wide ear to ear. I d’ like to know approx. age and tribe if possible.  Matt, 944 A:  Some African specialist, many of which are members of the Yahoo African_Arts group, may be able to guess where this is from. Most of the design elements are probably borrowed from several different tribes in the same general area. Another factor that will complicate the search is that the carver is inexperienced. Unfortunately, from the small size of your photos,…

Q:  I have very special pieces of Masks from Côte d’Ivoire to sell. My dad actually bought them in 1982. Let me know if you are interested.  Ali, 941 A:  The Baule people are an important ethnic group residing in Ivory Coast. This ram mask has been modernized slightly to make it more decorative and appealing to buyers. It is indeed an attractive wall decoration. However, I rarely buy anything sent to the Ask the Mask Man blog, nor do I furnish full names or addresses of the contributors.

Q:  Recently I found this mask that really intrigued me in Dubai at a small shop where Africans were selling authentic African masks. It is a wooden mask, about 39 cm in length (about 26 excluding the bird on top) and about 15.5 cm wide. I paid about $150 for the mask. They told me it originates from Gabon and was used to ward off evil spirits. I really hope you can tell me more about this mask, it’s origin (maybe tribe) and use. Especially the bird really interests me.  Jacqueline, 939 A:  Masks for tourist and export are being made in Gabon and many other places. This piece follows…

Q:  Purchased for $3 at a thrift store in Flint MI. This mask is wood, 13 1/2″ long x 8″ wide (to edge of ears). It’s kind of a greenish-black color. The inside is dark, the wood at the mouth area is very worn. Any ideas as to origin, age, etc.? It has numerous wormholes and much original painted striping. Any ideas as to age, origin, etc?  James, 933 A:  I guess this comes from somewhere in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Not much help, because it’s such a big country and there are at least 100 separate cultures that produce distinctive designs. I hope someone will comment with a…

Q:  Can you help me solve my boyfriend’s question whether or not these are evil?  Rebecca, 932 A:  This is not evil– just a waist of money. Decorative wall-hangings like this have been sold in airports all over Africa since the 1950’s. These carvings are meant for tourists and have little in common with traditional art. Thus the name “Airport art.” The Mask Man gets photos of this kind of stuff frequently and I always answer the sender’s questions, but never post them for others to see. I broke my rule today because I’d like to encourage interest in real African masks. Authentic folk art is much more satisfying than…