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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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    West African mystery mask

    August 6, 2016

    Kwele mask from Gabon

    January 21, 2020

    African Lulua mask with holes

    December 31, 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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    7th Chewa Mask blog

    November 16, 2020

    Unusual Bambara mask from Mali

    January 17, 2016

    Punu mask from Gabon, West Africa

    October 26, 2015
  • 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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    Okukwe mask, Galoa people, Gabon

    February 8, 2020

    Perfect reproduction of Tsogo mask

    February 25, 2019

    Guro Zamble mask

    September 8, 2017
  • 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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    Pende African buffalo mask

    January 17, 2021

    Mikishi mask from the Chokwe

    June 14, 2017

    Mask from Burkina Faso

    March 27, 2018
  • 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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    Dan Deangle masks are very popular

    July 22, 2015

    Masquerade during the pandemic

    December 11, 2020

    Taking photos of your Mystery Mask

    June 19, 2017
  • 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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    Elvis Presley Nyau mask from Malawi

    July 8, 2016

    African owl mask with handle

    April 28, 2017

    Contemporary mask from Africa’s DRC

    September 17, 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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    African traditional art influenced the modernists

    December 15, 2013

    Tourist junk can be desirable

    December 30, 2013

    Decorative Mwana Pwo mask

    March 31, 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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    Baule mask from West Africa

    September 22, 2018

    Baga Nimba mask from the Guinea coast

    June 29, 2017

    Blended mask from West Africa

    October 29, 2017
  • 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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    Pwo mask from the Congo

    November 4, 2015

    Much larger Congo mask

    December 2, 2014

    The Masks of West Africa

    February 18, 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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    African mask that change the art world

    October 10, 2018

    Airport art from Africa

    May 26, 2016

    Old big round mask

    November 19, 2013
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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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