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  • Africa

    Some African masks are scary

    July 14, 2014 / No Comments

    A:  This mask was given to me by my mother-in-law who lived in the Ivory Coast from 1948 – 1993. She expressed the rarity of the mask but never explained which tribe it came from. It is 15 1/2 inches from ear tip to ear tip and 11 1/2 inches from top to bottom. My wife’s parents were great collectors of antique African art and when they gave me this mask, they intimated that it was one of the nicer pieces in their collection. Can you please try and identify where the mask came from and if it is truly rare, thanks.  Gary, 659 B: This is called a Kaogle…

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    Bob Ibold

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    Guro Mamiwata mask

    July 23, 2015

    Boldly Cubist: An Early Elephant Mask

    December 6, 2017

    Guro antelope mask

    May 12, 2017
  • Africa

    Mask from Nigeria, not the Congo

    July 12, 2014 / 3 Comments

    Q: Bob, I always avoid African stuff… that said this one caught my attention as being authentic. Figured I would share. (This was an ebay auction identified as African– possibly Chokwe or from somewhere in the Congo.)  Nathan, 657 A:  It is African but a Mfon Ekpo mask from Ibibio people of Southeastern Nigeria. Because you think it is authentic let’s talk about that.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Contemporary mask from Africa’s DRC

    September 17, 2019

    Typical African masks bought by beginners

    January 16, 2021

    Tourist mask… from Africa or Asia?

    October 9, 2018
  • Africa

    Pair of Chi Wara “masks”

    July 6, 2014 / 1 Comment

    I thought this photo of two Chi Wara headdresses, both male and female versions danced by the Bamana people of Mali, was something many of you would like to see. The photo comes from the collection at Virginia Union University and was part of an excellent string of emails on the African_Arts@yahoogroups.com titled “Do authentic Chi Wara headdresses ever include applied metal strips?” Two things are accomplished by this.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Punu Mukuyi mask from Gabon

    December 2, 2018

    It’s a buyers market

    August 18, 2016

    Oceanic Mask?

    November 15, 2021
  • Africa

    Maybe old and used

    July 2, 2014 / 4 Comments

    Q:  I am fascinated by old items, but have no interest in commercial masks. This mask was found in an old explorer/adventurer estate auction. He had been traveling Africa on digs in the 50’s. I have little or no idea of the origin or age, but is sure it is not commercial, but an original.  653 A:  Based on the three beautiful photos you sent in I think there may be some collector interest in this mask.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Interesting Dan gle mask

    December 3, 2020

    Mbuya mask from the DRC

    June 1, 2015

    Red Mwana Pwo mask

    December 2, 2015
  • Africa

    Unusual Lipiko helmet mask

    June 6, 2014 / 1 Comment

    Q:  You may remember me – I sold you the field-collected yellow Makonde mask from Mandela, Mozambique. (I did my fieldwork among the Makonde in 2004)  I think the Makonde mask with mustache and blue skull cap is pretty interesting and wonder if you have additional photos of it. Is it yours?  I’d love to know more about it, and see more views of it.  Thanks, Alex A: I will send you more photos.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Bamana helmet crest

    May 30, 2019

    Small West African mask

    January 29, 2015

    African traditional art influenced the modernists

    December 15, 2013
  • Africa

    Senufo or otherwise

    May 6, 2014 / No Comments

    Q:  I recently acquired a neat mask from an antique sale. It’s quite big, and I believe it’s all one piece of wood. I was told from the seller it was from West Africa, and is Senufo. Just wondering if you might know any more about it and it’s authenticity.  Jack, 637 A:  This is not a typical Senufo mask. The antelope style is more popular with other cultures in the surrounding areas of Mali and Burkina Faso.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Contemporary African masks are rejected.

    October 8, 2018

    Unusual Lipiko helmet mask

    June 6, 2014

    Bamana Ntomo mask from Mali

    November 15, 2019
  • Africa

    Bottom of the line

    April 25, 2014 / No Comments

    Q:  A few weeks ago I came home to find this mask sitting on a bench on my carport. I asked my neighbors if they knew any about it. Sadly they did not. I was curious if you could give insight on where is may have originated from as I have nothing to go on.  Pete, 634 A:  It is the famous Racer mask of the Dan people who live in the Ivory Coast region of West Africa. However, it may have been made somewhere else.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Mask from Burkina Faso

    March 27, 2018

    Old Bini mask from Nigeria

    October 2, 2020

    African art show in Bloomington, IN

    February 12, 2015
  • Africa

    Antiqued Maiden Spirit mask

    April 23, 2014 / No Comments

    Q:  This mask confused me because the nobs on the top of his head would indicate Africa but the designs on the cheeks seem to be more Papua New Guinea. It is carved from light wood, completely emptied out with good vision through the eye holes and is 16 inches high. Together this would make it easy to wear.  Alice, 633 A:  You’ve got a Maiden Spirit mask from the Igbo people of Nigeria, West Africa’s most populated country.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Another Senufo Kpelie mask

    June 12, 2016

    Central African mask with nasty smile

    November 1, 2015

    Average Fang mask

    August 8, 2017
  • Africa

    Strange but real

    April 7, 2014 / 1 Comment

    Q:  Hi, can’t place this one. Family in Africa 1967 on, Ghana, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt. I think this bought in Ghana from itinerant trader. Maybe Mali, Upper Volta? Thoughts? Sorry I don’t have mask, one one picture.  John, 629 A:  I’ve never seen anything like this.

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    Bob Ibold

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    This photograph taken on March 24, 2022 shows a "Ngil" mask of the Fang people of Gabon ahead of its auction in March 2022. Photo by Pascal Guyot/AFP via Getty Images

    Elderly Duo Discover Their ‘Garage Sale’ African Mask Was a $4.4 Million Jackpot! Now, They Want Their Fair Share!

    November 3, 2023

    A mystery from Africa

    January 23, 2017

    African tourist mask

    May 8, 2017
  • Africa

    Decorating vs. Collecting

    March 25, 2014 / No Comments

    Q: We purchased this mask recently from a man trying to get rid of some personal items. We love the combined mask basket look of it but, realize it is not an authentic worn mask. We however do not know what this style of mask is called. We would like to get more for declarative purposes but, searching basket mask on the internet does not provide any help in what they are called. Hope you can shed some light on a name. Thanks in advance.  Carolyn, 625 A: You can call this a West African tourist mask that looks like, and actually may be, from the Baule people of Ivory…

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    Bob Ibold

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    African mask that change the art world

    October 10, 2018

    Rare Bindji mask from DRC

    March 4, 2019

    It certainly is African

    January 1, 2014
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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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