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  • Africa

    Let’s identify this strange mask

    December 30, 2013 / 5 Comments

    Q: Of all the masks I have from the corners of the world, I only have one whose origins are unknown to me. It has these little perforations on the side which I assume is for attaching hay, or feathers, or maybe leaves for decoration. I would love to find out where it came from. A friend bought it for me as a housewarming gift and said the man that sold the mask spoke no English.  Marcos, 598 A: This is a fine looking mask, but not something that I can identify.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Why have a mask appraised?

    October 26, 2018

    Big, beautiful croc

    October 22, 2014

    Yaka mask from D R Congo, Central Africa

    November 15, 2018
  • Africa

    Beautiful mask from the Congo

    December 21, 2013 / No Comments

    Q: I bought this mask in Berne, it’s from Gabun. I did a long internet research and didn’t find anything closely resembling. But I found your website, a treasure trove. I’d be happy if you could give me more information about this mask. Thank you!  Maja, 596 A: To me this handsome mask combines the characteristics of several cultures located in the central part of the DRC, formerly the Belgian Congo.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Classic mask from the Grasslands

    July 25, 2016

    Yaka mask from D R Congo, Central Africa

    November 15, 2018

    What is the value of a mask?

    August 31, 2018
  • Africa

    African traditional art influenced the modernists

    December 15, 2013 / 4 Comments

    Q: I came across another mask and write to inquire about its potential value. It is 24 inches in diameter. Attached are a couple of pictures. Let me know if its worth pursuing or not.  In the meantime, stay warm and keep in touch.  Charlie, 593 A: I think it is worth pursuing.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Reproduction of Lega mask

    April 22, 2018

    Old Dogon masks from Mali

    May 11, 2018

    Fabric Salampasu mask from DRC

    March 14, 2019
  • Africa

    Be careful of this guy

    December 7, 2013 / 1 Comment

    Q: I found this online with no information about were its from and or if its just art or an actual old mask. I hope you can help me out. I’m intrigued by this mask. Best regards. Laurence, 591 A: This looks like a Yoruba style mask from Nigeria, West Africa, but because it is just a black and white, small, low-res photo, it would be unwise to assume more.

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    Bob Ibold

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    African Lega mask with sparkles

    March 12, 2017

    Authentic, used African mask

    February 8, 2015

    Inexpensive West African mask

    December 30, 2017
  • Africa

    A not so typical Dan mask

    December 2, 2013 / 2 Comments

    Q: Bought in Liberia in 1982 when I was a Peace Corps Volunteer. Was among several that I bought from one of three Mandingos who came to my house in the Gola tribe area (just north of Monrovia and the Vai tribe territory) to show their masks to a few of us PCVs. The sale of this one mask was suspicious, because the seller did not want his colleagues to know that he had it. Could have been a ruse, but he looked genuinely fearful of his colleagues. I don’t think that he was supposed to be selling it. Dimensions: 11.5″ x 7.5″ X 3.75″ Now that I’m in my…

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    Bob Ibold

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    Nice Bwa Mask

    May 5, 2016

    Blended mask from West Africa

    October 29, 2017

    3 African crest masks

    August 16, 2020
  • Africa

    Marka mask from Mali

    December 2, 2013 / No Comments

    Q: I have a collection of African old tribal masks which I took over from an old collector who for health reasons is unable to give much info. Here is one of many, I was thinking African, Mali possibly.  Natasha, 588 A: Sorry to take so long to answer.

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    Bob Ibold

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    More on African masks

    June 19, 2020

    Ogoni or Ibibio mystery mask

    July 17, 2020

    Puno maiden spirit mask

    January 22, 2019
  • Guere-Wobe
    Africa

    Fine mask and a poem

    November 20, 2013 / No Comments

    Q: I wonder if its authentic and if it is a Dan Ngere?  Leon, 585  (Leon also sent along a poem about masks which you can read at the end of my comments.) A: The Dan group of tribes spread over parts of both Ivory Coast and Liberia.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Okukwe mask, Galoa people, Gabon

    February 8, 2020

    Much larger Congo mask

    December 2, 2014

    Kota reliquary mask from Gabon

    March 22, 2020
  • Africa

    Old big round mask

    November 19, 2013 / 2 Comments

    Q: I’m totally ignorant about masks, but my father found this in a garage here in Italy and now I would like some informations about it. I looked into your website for similar masks, but I haven’t found anything identical. Can you please tell me from which part of the world it comes? The dimensions are 60×50 (cm) and it’s made of wood.  Alexandru, 584 A: Being the Mask Man is a humbling experience.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Kpelie masks can be wood or bronze

    August 22, 2013

    One of my favorite masks… Chewa

    January 13, 2019

    Chokwe Pwo mask of Angola or DRC

    December 12, 2018
  • Africa

    Where in Africa?

    November 14, 2013 / 4 Comments

    Q: I bought this mask from a guy on the internet from Serbia. That country was famous 30 years ago for its good relationship with Africa,  so I guess that the mask is African.  Zarko, 582 A: I agree that it is African, and it is nice looking.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Modern Dogon masks from Mali

    October 29, 2019

    The price of African masks

    December 26, 2014

    Airport art

    March 8, 2016
  • Africa

    Hard to identify West African

    November 11, 2013 / 2 Comments

    Q: It was part of collection of items left over from a Free Trade Import store that closed. The seller back in the mid 90’s told me that it an authentic ceremonial mask; whereas, other’s in the collection were passport mask made for tourist and not of much value. The mask has holes along the sides and I was told these held grasses at one time which would cover the lower part of the face as the mask rest upon the forehead. From the top of the crown to the bottom of chin measures 11 1/2″ and from ear to ear 6 3/4″. It is made of a very light…

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    Bob Ibold

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    Bobo mask with beak and horns

    May 13, 2018

    Why we collect masks

    December 8, 2018

    Pende African buffalo mask

    January 17, 2021
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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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