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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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    Souvenirs vs. Traditional Art

    May 28, 2015

    Is masquerade still alive in Africa?

    October 1, 2018

    African Influences in Modern Art

    August 24, 2020
  • 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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    Beautiful Yaure mask from Africa

    October 21, 2017

    Another West African hybrid

    March 30, 2016

    Ntomo masks from Mali

    June 6, 2020
  • 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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    Baule mask, authentic or repro

    October 10, 2019

    Nice story about two masks

    October 17, 2020

    Kwele mask from Gabon

    January 21, 2020
  • 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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    Decorative Guro mask

    April 14, 2015

    Classic mask from the Grasslands

    July 25, 2016

    Nice mask from Mali

    January 26, 2014
  • 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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    Leopard mask from Mali

    August 29, 2016

    Dan bird mask

    March 2, 2017

    Bembe circumcision mask

    June 13, 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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    Baule Ram Mask

    March 12, 2017

    Airport art at its best

    January 13, 2017

    Why are real African masks so hard to find?

    September 10, 2013
  • 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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    Blind man’s mask

    November 7, 2014
    restored Epa mask

    It looks like it’s just been created

    October 18, 2013

    The Bushoong do fine masks

    April 5, 2016
  • 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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    Dan runner mask from West Africa

    November 21, 2019

    Warlike Guere/We mask

    May 17, 2015

    Decorative Mwana Pwo mask

    March 31, 2020
  • 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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    Pair of Chi Waras from Mali

    November 15, 2018

    Excellent Gelede mask from Nigeria

    July 7, 2016

    It certainly is African

    January 1, 2014
  • 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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    Biombo mask from the Congo

    March 18, 2020

    Chewa mask from Malawi, Africa

    April 9, 2018

    Small mask from Congo

    October 28, 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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