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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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    Pende African buffalo mask

    January 17, 2021

    A not so typical Dan mask

    December 2, 2013

    Another West African hybrid

    March 30, 2016
  • 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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    Male version of Chi Wara headdress

    June 30, 2017

    Yaka mask from D R Congo, Central Africa

    November 15, 2018

    Taking photos of your Mystery Mask

    June 19, 2017
  • 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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    New 3-piece model

    January 26, 2014

    A mask that changed the art world

    July 5, 2018

    Mwano Pwo mask

    December 27, 2014
  • 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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    Yombe mask from DRC

    August 31, 2020

    Toma Poro Society mask

    April 2, 2015

    Guro elephant mask from West Africa

    March 10, 2020
  • 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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    Pair of Chi Waras from Mali

    November 15, 2018

    African Lulua mask with holes

    December 31, 2018

    Pende African buffalo mask

    January 17, 2021
  • 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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    Pair of Chi Wara “masks”

    July 6, 2014

    Kore mask from the Bamana of Mali

    March 26, 2018

    Suku helmet mask from Congo

    October 20, 2020
  • 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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    White-faced African with little beak

    December 28, 2016

    Huge butterfly mask from the Bwa

    November 27, 2017

    Janus head mask from Africa

    February 11, 2020
  • 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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    Traditional masquerade continues to evolve

    September 28, 2013

    Mbuya mask from the DRC

    June 1, 2015

    Pwo mask from the Congo

    November 4, 2015
  • 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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    Souvenirs vs. Traditional Art

    May 28, 2015

    A little about authenticity

    September 3, 2014

    African mask with moving mouth

    June 24, 2015
  • 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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    Bete war mask

    March 2, 2015

    Crazy West African mask

    August 29, 2016

    African tourist mask

    May 8, 2017
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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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