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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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    West African masks in use

    January 3, 2017

    Maiden Spirit mask from the Igbo

    June 8, 2015

    Early Kuba mask with provenance

    November 12, 2019
  • 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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    Punu Mukuyi mask from Gabon

    December 2, 2018

    Decorating vs. Collecting

    March 25, 2014

    Bamana helmet crest

    May 30, 2019
  • 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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    Turtle shell Bwami mask from Africa

    October 5, 2020

    Beautiful Igbo Maiden

    June 18, 2016

    New fake of Dan bird mask

    July 5, 2020
  • 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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    Chewa mask from Malawi

    June 2, 2017

    Beautiful mask from the Congo

    December 21, 2013

    Bobo mask with beak and horns

    May 13, 2018
  • 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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    Pair of Chi Wara “masks”

    July 6, 2014

    Airport art from Africa

    May 26, 2016

    Authentic, used African mask

    February 8, 2015
  • 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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    Central African mask with nasty smile

    November 1, 2015

    Beautiful Yaure mask from Africa

    October 21, 2017

    Chewa mask from Malawi

    June 2, 2017
  • 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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    Hard to recognize East African

    September 7, 2014

    Authentic, used African mask

    February 8, 2015

    Baule portrait mask from Ivory Coast

    November 1, 2019
  • 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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    From the Bamum of Cameroon

    February 21, 2017

    White-faced African with little beak

    December 28, 2016

    Featured artist on Novica.com

    October 6, 2013
  • 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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    Baule Kpan mask from Ivory Coast

    January 2, 2016

    Traditional Bobo mask

    May 21, 2017

    Colorful Zaouli mask

    April 12, 2016
  • 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

    You May Also Like

    Guro antelope mask

    May 12, 2017

    Ibo, Igbo or Igala from Nigeria

    July 17, 2013

    The spectacular hawk/butterfly mask

    January 2, 2016
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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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