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  • Africa

    African mask with moving mouth

    June 24, 2015 / 2 Comments

    Q:  I bought this mask on a car boot sale simply because I liked it and found it very interesting. I have tried to find out a bit about it with not much luck. Could this be an African maiden mask?  I would appreciate any information you can give me. Jude, 796 A:  This is an Elu mask with hinged jaw from the Ogoni people of southern Nigeria, Africa’s most populated country.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Pwo mask from the Congo

    November 4, 2015

    Antiqued Maiden Spirit mask

    April 23, 2014

    Bozo puppet headpiece from Mali

    March 12, 2020
  • Africa

    Female Kifwebe mask from the Songye

    June 8, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  I found this with a collection of 30 or so other masks at a yard sale. The seller said they were “very old” and had come from Sudan. Some of the other masks have a distinct smoke odor (but not this mask). Measures approximately 16.5″ x 13″ x 7″   Rebecca, 790 A:  The grooved pattern on the face of the mask is a common characteristic of a female Kifwebe mask from the Songye tribe of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Crazy West African mask

    August 29, 2016

    Batshioko mask from Zambia

    December 8, 2019

    Where in Africa?

    November 14, 2013
  • Africa

    Maiden Spirit mask from the Igbo

    June 8, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  I collect masks from countries I visit and have a small collection of 9 at the moment (and hopefully growing). However, my Nan volunteers at a British Heart Foundation shop and had a wooden mask bought in and has got it for me. I usually like to know where the masks are from. Would there be any way for me to find out where this one is from?  Sophie, 789 A:  That’s what we’re here for. Learning about the mask increases the pleasure of collecting.

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    Bob Ibold

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    It’s a buyers market

    August 18, 2016

    Oceanic Mask?

    November 15, 2021

    Kuba Bwoom helmet mask

    April 29, 2015
  • Africa

    Lipiko mask from the Makonde

    June 3, 2015 / No Comments

    The famous Lipiko mask from the Makonde people projects a kind of stylized realism that is unique in African masks. This is a plain one without scarification or applied hair, but with an especially strong and well executed form. From a purely sculptural standpoint, it doesn’t get much better than this. The mask, which slips completely over the dancers head and rests on the shoulders, is about 12 inches deep.

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    Bob Ibold

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    The Masks of West Africa

    February 18, 2016

    Boldly Cubist: An Early Elephant Mask

    December 6, 2017

    Female Kifwebe mask from the Songye

    June 8, 2015
  • Africa

    Mbuya mask from the DRC

    June 1, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  I just acquired this mask at an estate sale. It is made of very lightweight wood and appears to be quite old. There is also a kind of fabric made from woven grass attached to the top and lower parts of the mask. The mask measures 11″ x 11″ (including fabric) or 7″ x 7″ (wooden part only) with a 5.5″ depth. Any information you can provide would be much appreciated.  Simon, 786 A:  The Pende are an important culture that has produced a wide range of masks and other sculptures.

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    Bob Ibold

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    It certainly is African

    January 1, 2014

    A Mystery Mask

    November 29, 2017

    Bull mask from Guinea Bissau

    June 13, 2019
  • Africa

    Souvenirs vs. Traditional Art

    May 28, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  Another mask I found recently. I don’t know anything about it other than it is sand cast metal, I believe.  Dee, 784 A:  You can see a similar African mask that I posted Feb 8. Your mask is also called a Kpelie and comes from the Senufo people of Ivory Coast. These refined face masks represent women, are danced by men, and are usually associated with the Poro association. Called Beautiful Lady or Kpelie, they come with many variations, with rich and complex symbolism. At that time I went on to say, “Yours is especially nice. It’s designed very well and is carefully carved.”

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    Bob Ibold

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    Unusual Fang mask from Ivory Coast

    February 8, 2016

    Pende Mbangu (sickness) mask

    March 3, 2020

    African art show in Bloomington, IN

    February 12, 2015
  • Africa

    Warlike Guere/We mask

    May 17, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  Here’s a wooden mask that my father acquired in Ivory Coast somewhere around 1975. It’s probably from the Guiglo region, in the southwest of the country. He bought it from someone there, and I’m very curious about its originality and possibly if you know anything more about its function or meaning. As a frequent visitor of your website and mask enthusiast/collector I was hoping you might be able to tell me something more about it!   Sven, 781 A: The Guere people (also called the We) are the dominant ethnic group in that area.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Unusual African fish mask

    October 13, 2016

    Unpainted Gu mask from Ivory Coast

    June 24, 2020

    Baga snake headdresses from Guinea Bassau

    July 27, 2019
  • Africa

    Marka style Kore mask

    April 30, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  I got this mask at a flea market about a year and a half ago and am very curious about it.  It is wood with hammered metal overlaying it, with real animal hair. I tried searching through your site to see if there was anything like it.  Anything you could tell me about it would be awesome. Tamara, 772 A:  It’s a Kore mask from the Marka people of Mali, West Africa.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Bull mask from Guinea Bissau

    June 13, 2019

    Antiqued Maiden Spirit mask

    April 23, 2014

    Unusual Lipiko helmet mask

    June 6, 2014
  • Africa

    Kuba Bwoom helmet mask

    April 29, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  I have a mask that is displayed in my office.  I am attempting to figure out if it has any value, and if so, who to target to sell the item.  I have a sneaking suspicion that is a basic tourist mask, but I would like to be sure.  The mask was purchased by the previous business owner who left it with the building.  Unfortunately, I know nothing about it’s origin or even where it was purchased.  Danielle, 770 A:  The mask in your office is called a Bwoom and is from the Kuba people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in central Africa.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Northern Rhodesia Mask (now Zambia)

    June 28, 2021

    Kota reliquaries are often in mask collections

    March 2, 2019

    Traditional masquerade continues to evolve

    September 28, 2013
  • Africa

    Mask from the Congo

    April 17, 2015 / 2 Comments

    Q:  I found this mask yesterday at a thrift store here in Maryland. I think it’s African and possibly from the Chokwe people. Would you be so kind as to take a look at the attached photos and let me know. It’s 7″ L (9″ including the hanging material) and 4 1/2″ W at the widest section. The nails are rusted, and the cloth around the top and side is worn. But, of course, that may not mean very much regarding age and a “tourist” sale. If you’re unable to help, would you let me know as soon as possible so I can seek another source? Incidentally, it looks like…

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    Bob Ibold

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    Another water spirit from Nigeria

    October 19, 2018

    Mwana Ngulu mask from the Chokwe people

    April 9, 2018

    To collect or not to collect

    January 11, 2015
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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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