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  • Africa

    West African mask with coins on her head

    September 18, 2015 / 1 Comment

    Q: I was given this mask as a birthday gift when I was a young teen. I have no info on it other than 9 coins embedded in rows of 3 on top of the head. The coins seem to be dated in the 1920’s and depict some sort of palm tree? Any help identifying and possible value would be appreciated, as I am 40 yrs old and have always wondered. Benny, 836 We know this mask was made in middle to late 20th century. I also see some resemblance to the work of the Ibo people in Nigeria and the Puno of Gabon. That’s a big chunk of West…

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    Troy

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    Congo style mask

    February 20, 2016

    Chewa mask from Malawi

    June 2, 2017

    Old Bini mask from Nigeria

    October 2, 2020
  • Africa

    It reminds us of the Congo

    September 6, 2015 / No Comments

    Q: Hi Bob, I found this small mask at an estate sale this weekend. It is made of carved wood and measures 8″ in length, 4.5″ in width and 3″ in depth. The owner described it as a “Wisdom mask from the Congo”. Any further information would be much appreciated. Thanks, Simon, 828 A: Yes, this mask looks like it came from the Congo region. Perhaps it is a “wisdom mask.” But I don’t think we can attribute it to any particular culture or think of it as a true example of

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    Troy

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    Bemba helmet mask

    October 7, 2019

    Mask from the Congo

    April 17, 2015

    Bozo puppet headpiece from Mali

    March 12, 2020
  • Africa

    Kota Reliquary Figure

    August 30, 2015 / No Comments

    This is a Janus reliquary guardian figure from the Gabonese Republic of West Africa. It would have been used by the Kota people in the mid-19th century. It is actually a piece of sculpture, but people who collect African masks always love them. It is made of wood, copper, brass, iron, cowrie shell and measures 23 × 12 × 5 in. This is a promised gift to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art is from Terry and Lionel Bell in honor of the museum’s 50th anniversary.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Male and female Kifwebe masks from Africa

    March 23, 2020

    Old We/Guere mask

    May 27, 2019

    Yoruba Gelede Mask

    May 29, 2017
  • Africa

    Another mystery mask from West Africa

    August 1, 2015 / 1 Comment

    Q:  I have this mask I recently purchased.  All I know is the original owner got it in South Africa in the 1980s. It is about 9 inches tall. Any help would be great.  David, 818 A:  Sorry, but I can’t help you much other than to say it has the characteristics of several cultures from different parts of West Africa. Though helmet style in construction, it is too small to have been made for actual use. Probably it was intended for sale as a souvenir.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Baule Ram Mask

    March 23, 2016

    A fine West African pig

    September 16, 2013

    Beautiful religious artifact

    September 24, 2013
  • Africa

    A version of the Senufo Kpelie mask

    July 31, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  This mask belongs to a doctor friend who is suffering from dementia. He worked in Cameroon in the 1970s so the mask may come from that area. Unfortunately he can no longer tell me where he got it. Can you help?  Dr. G., 817 A:  Called a Kpelie, these easy to recognize masks are a creation of the Senufo people who inhabit northern Ivory Coast.

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    Bob Ibold

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    From somewhere in West Africa

    September 28, 2015

    Pere mask from the DRC

    May 29, 2017

    Male and female Kifwebe masks from Africa

    March 23, 2020
  • Africa

    Guro Mamiwata mask

    July 23, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  Thank you for the help on the Dan mask yesterday. I told my friend about your website and the info you provided, and that it was a great help. He gave me this cool snake mask to figure out. Have you ever seen one like this? It measures 13″ x 2 1/2″ x 7″ and is carved wood.  Thad’s friend, 814 A:  I’m delighted to present this mask on the blog because it proves how creative African carvers can be. A mask with matching snakes crawling out of each nostril, and with great sculptural artistry, is seldom seen.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Contemporary mask from Africa’s DRC

    September 17, 2019

    Unpainted Gu mask from Ivory Coast

    June 24, 2020

    A popular mask from Ivory Coast

    October 5, 2015
  • Africa

    Dan Deangle masks are very popular

    July 22, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  I got this mask from an antique dealer who told me it was from the Ivory Coast but I can’t find too may with the beard. 11″ tall x 7″ wide.  Wood has smooth finish on the front and unfinished back.  12 holes in the back. Leather patches under the eyes. Any help would be great. Thad, 813 A: There are regional variations among the masks of the Dan people who live in the western part of Ivory Coast and eastern Liberia, but they are generally characterized by a concave face, a pointed chin, a protruding mouth, an upturned nose and a high-domed forehead.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Guere mask from Liberia

    July 30, 2018

    Kota reliquaries are often in mask collections

    March 2, 2019

    West African 3-faced helmet mask

    June 14, 2019
  • Africa

    Unusual African mask

    July 19, 2015 / 2 Comments

    Q:  I bought this mask from the German eBay last year for 15 euros. No info was provided and I have yet to find out anything about it. I would guess African and Ivory Coast. The backside does seem somewhat polished on the contact points. Thanks for any info in advance, you are a gent.  Jim, 810 A:  If I had to pick an area of Africa where it could come from it would be the northern DRC, formerly the Belgium Congo.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Bamun mask from the Grasslands

    August 13, 2018

    Baga Nimba mask from the Guinea coast

    June 29, 2017

    To collect or not to collect

    January 11, 2015
  • Africa

    Nice West African mask

    July 6, 2015 / 4 Comments

    Q:  The raffia material seems authentically darkened by use; there are stains of sweat around the inner side and at the chin; it does not smell of any varnish or recent burning; the patina is even but not too even; the cloth hood at the back fell off some time ago, and was clearly covered with some light blue material; the forehead was covered with blue color stains, too, but was worn away; the dirt on the ‘hair’ seems truly old; the bird on the head has a hole onto which something was attached at some time; the raffia is attached by very corroded nails which do not seem to…

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    Bob Ibold

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    Spectacular Igbo mask from Africa

    August 18, 2018

    Dan mask from Liberia or Ivory Coast

    February 29, 2020

    Pende pumbu mask

    December 22, 2020
  • Africa

    West African mask from somewhere

    June 30, 2015 / 4 Comments

    Q:  I recently purchased this wooden mast at auction because I found it quite striking. The mask is 24″ tall and was described as an old Songye Congo carved wooden Kifwebe mask with an unusual animal crest.  I would greatly appreciate your opinion of the mask and it’s description.  Jason, 798 A:  It is not a Songye Kifwebe mask. Nor does it resemble the work done by any of the various tribes occupying the Congo basin. The best I can tell you is that it probably was made somewhere in West Africa. It looks old and used, but almost all of the African masks we see on the market have…

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    Bob Ibold

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    Kuba bwoom mask

    December 17, 2015

    African Toma mask

    June 17, 2018

    Old big round mask

    November 19, 2013
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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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