Q:  I have three masks that were purchased from a dealer in southern Indiana in 1973.  Two with detailed carving on the front, one with black paint.  All three are hand carved.  Thoughts?  Kevin, 893 A:  I only do single masks on the Ask the Mask Man blog. Of course, you are welcomed to submit another one in the next month. This one is very thinly carved, which is often a characteristic of those that are used, whereas the ones made to be sold as souvenirs and art are usually heavier. I also was impressed by the use of black lines to give emphasis to the carved decoration. This is…

Q:   I have a hobby and find treasures so to speak for fun and have acquired a few masks. They are from an avid collector who passed away and I bought his items. Most were signed and I have kept my favorites. This particular mask is missing 3 rings from around the neck, but could it be an African womanhood initiation type mask?  Kathleen, 891 A:  Most of Kathleen’s masks are of high quality. I picked this one to share because it is from the Yoruba people, a very large ethnic group of  Nigeria as well as Benin in West Africa. She thought it might be a Bundu helmet mask…

Q:  I was given this mask, and several others, by my 87 yr old mom who has traveled extensively over her lifetime.  There is a little paper inside the mask with ‘Gabon’ written on it.  Sophie, 890 A:  From the Punu people of Gabon, this is one of the most famous maiden-style masks found in West Africa. These white-faced masks represent the spirit of an ancestor from the after world and were often used by stilt dancers for funeral rituals. They are known for their elegant features, forehead scarification patterns and elaborate coiffures. The white face and eyes of these Punu masks look Oriental to many people. You can find…

Q:  I bought this mask for $100 at an estate sale. The owner was a military veteran stationed in Africa near Mali in the 1960s. It is made of wood, hair, 12 inches by 18 inches. The 2 horns in head are carved with a face. The weight is 6 lbs.  Nate, 888 A:  I think it is a nice mask for the wall, and it has lots of African features. But it has been made for the tourist/export market, not for use. Tourist masks like this can be fine for decoration. But real masks– the ones that are actually worn in native cultures– are often better looking and always…

Q:  Mask itself is 13.5 x 8 x 4.5″ and came from an estate.  The person purchased the mask in mid 1970’s from what appears to be a good quality dealer, based on the paperwork I also found.  Thanks, Bob!  Alan, 884 A:  This is a rarity– a West African mask with no mouth. Exactly what culture it is from and what it is for, I have no idea. From the headdress down, all of the features remind me of different tribes, but from below the nose there is nothing. I hope one of the African art collectors will make a guess. This is something special, even if it turns…

Q:  Hello, first thanks for your time. I’m looking for any information you can give me on this mask. It is 6 ft long, 15 inchs tall, with wings 1 inch thick. Location for face is 3 inchs deep.  Bruce, 881 A:  This is called sometimes a hawk mask and others say is represents a butterfly. Several different tribes use them in Burkina Fasso– such as the Mossi, Bobo, Gurunsi and Bwa. 

Q:  I bought this recently and was told its rwandan.  The guy said a catholic preist gave it to him as he did some work over there.  I just wanted a little mor info on it.  I bought it as a gift for my aunt and uncle.  Dave, 880 A:  Masks like this can come from several different tribes in Ivory Coast, West Africa. So I searched and found a mask that is similar in several ways. Here is what the copy said…  The Baule people moved west to the Ivory Coast more than 200 years ago and adapted masking traditions from their neighbors, the Guro, Senufo and Yaure peoples.…

Q:  The mask easily fits an adult, but some of the cowries are missing. There is also a crack which was repaired. I do not know much else. Thank you very much.  Derek, 875 A:  I think this mask is made to look like a Kuba bwoom mask. If it was actually to be used in culture it would probably have more exciting bead and shell decorations and be more carefully carved.

Q:  I am working as part of a new BBC drama set in 1814. One of our main characters has links back to Africa and we are trying to find some information/ images of Ashanti masks of this year or just after/ before. I have struggled to find any information on this so far and I am not sure as to whether this tribe really used masks…. I was wondering whether you could offer any help or advice as to what African masks looked like during this time period?

Q:  Not so much a mask, but I thought it may be of interest.  What do you think?  Andrew, 870 A:  Many mask collectors consider this to be a kind of mask. It is usually worn by a man who has a carved wood helmet mask over his entire head. I would call it a pectoral mask of a pregnant female torso with enlarged nipples and a herniated umbilicus. Also note the abdominal tattoos that have been slightly highlighted with the same dark stain as the nipples and navel.