• Home
  • Discover & Learn
  • Ask Us About Your Mask
  • About
  • Contact
Masks of the World

  • Home
  • Blog Home
  • Discover & Learn
  • Ask Us About Your Mask
  • Masks
  • Blog About
  • Home
  • Blog Home
  • Discover & Learn
  • Ask Us About Your Mask
  • Masks
  • Blog About
  • Africa

    Beautiful discovery from the Congo

    October 28, 2013 / 2 Comments

    Q: Dear members of African Arts group. I would like to ask for a help to identify this beautiful and highly expressive mask.  http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/African_Arts/photos/albums/52889153  I have purchased it as a ‘Kwame’ mask, however, my colleague from France suggested possible Zande influence. At the same time there are certain characteristics of Lega visual language articulated here. Thank you very much.  David, 574 A: The question was sent to the African_Arts groups first.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Decorative Mwana Pwo mask

    March 31, 2020

    African iron mask

    February 25, 2017

    Dogon Hare’s Mask with figure on top

    October 11, 2020
  • Africa

    More about tourist carvings

    October 26, 2013 / 1 Comment

    A few days ago someone sent pictures of this carved head to African_Arts, the Yahoo discussion group. She was asking for more information about the piece. (It reminds me of some masks that have been sent to the Mask Man.) One of the group’s members wrote the following answer, which I found very interesting, especially after just writing the previous post. Here it is.  

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Taking photos of your Mystery Mask

    June 19, 2017

    Kuba nyet mask

    June 16, 2016

    Chokwe Pwo mask

    May 18, 2018
  • restored Epa mask
    Africa

    It looks like it’s just been created

    October 18, 2013 / No Comments

    Recently I noticed this large and beautifully painted piece on eBay. The copy said “Authentic Yoruba Epa mask. Expertly refurbished & lovingly restored. Tribally used. No cracks, scratches or breaks. Impeccably repaired. Used by the Ekiti Yoruba of Southwestern Nigeria during their annual Epa festival.” I was amazed to see an Epa mask in such pristine condition. 569 Wikipedia says “An Epa is a ceremonial mask worn by the Yoruba people of Nigeria during the Epa masquerade.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    African mask that change the art world

    October 10, 2018

    Beautiful discovery from the Congo

    October 28, 2013

    Bamun mask from the Grasslands

    August 13, 2018
  • Africa

    Unusual mask from the Congo

    October 7, 2013 / 2 Comments

    Q: I recently purchased this mask from a Cameroonian street vendor in NYC. He said it was from Congo. It is made of wood, fairly light and pithy (palmwood?) and is roughly 16″H. After some online research I found a Bushoong mask that was on exhibit in Durango, CO earlier this year: As you can see it is strikingly similar. So perhaps mine is of Bushoong origins or a reproduction there of. More importantly I’m curious of it’s spiritual connotations. Is it for divination, sorcery, initiation? Goodwill, evil?  Chris, 566A A: I also looked through some books and searched the internet finding nothing quite like your mask.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Nice Bwa Mask

    May 5, 2016

    Antiqued Maiden Spirit mask

    April 23, 2014

    Inexpensive West African mask

    December 30, 2017
  • Africa

    Featured artist on Novica.com

    October 6, 2013 / No Comments

    “My name is Salihu Ibrahim, and I was born in the eastern region of Ghana in 1964. My father, Ibrahim, died when I was a child and I’m certain his death actually changed and shaped the course of my life. With the death of my father, I was sent to live with one of my father’s closest friends, Opanin Osei, a renowned traditional carver to the then Akwamu chief and the people of Akwamu. At the age of ten, I was fully under the carving tutelage and control of Opanin Osei, who usually carved the items and then passed them on to me for the final polishing and beautification. I…

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    7th Chewa Mask blog

    November 16, 2020

    Is masquerade still alive in Africa?

    October 1, 2018
    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
  • Africa

    Traditional masquerade continues to evolve

    September 28, 2013 / 1 Comment

    In recent years Phyllis Galembo, Professor of Art at the University of Albany, has traveled around the world photographing traditional masquerade. She finds villages where the rituals and celebrations are still in use and she captures these beautiful performers on film. One of her books, Maske, published in 2010, is filled with photos from Africa and the Caribbean. The mask (on the left) is from an Aromgba village in Nigeria. Here are a few more of her pics.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Average Fang mask

    August 8, 2017

    Primitive mask from the Congo

    November 23, 2015

    A mystery from Africa

    January 23, 2017
  • Africa

    This African is still a mystery

    September 25, 2013 / 4 Comments

    A: You helped me a week ago with my African pig mask. I have another mask, but I see you only do one mask per person. How can I get you to look at another mask?  Diane, 556 Q: I don’t do two or more in a row, but I’ll make an exception this time because I’m intrigued with this particular mask.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    3 African multiple-faced masks

    August 14, 2020

    Old We/Guere mask

    May 27, 2019

    Bull mask from Guinea Bissau

    June 13, 2019
  • Africa

    Beautiful religious artifact

    September 24, 2013 / 2 Comments

    Q: Recently I purchased a mask from a local shop in Sydney which sells various goods from Oceania and Africa. The mask is made of wood covered with metal strips and wires (copper?). I like its look and enjoy having it in my house, and would be very grateful if you let me know if this mask is of any significance. Ted, 554 A: A very nice piece indeed, it is a reliquary figure from the Mahongwe people of Gabon, West Africa.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    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

    Babanki elephant mask from Cameroon

    May 27, 2020

    Authentic Chokwe pig mask

    February 10, 2018
  • Africa

    Tourist mask of unusual wood

    September 18, 2013 / No Comments

    Q: I have mask that my grandparents got in Africa and just want some information like where in Africa it came from and just what it is.  Chrisitna, 551 A: This unpainted, wooden mask may have come from Africa, but it is not associated with any cultural tradition I am aware of.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Kwere mask from Tanzania

    September 1, 2020

    A pretty girl all dressed up

    September 1, 2014

    Masks of the World book for $9.97

    July 4, 2016
  • Africa

    A fine West African pig

    September 16, 2013 / 3 Comments

    Q: It has (or had) feathers around the top of it, and it has black mesh ‘balls’ around the perimeter of the face. The mesh is stuffed with something, although I don’t know with what. Can you tell me which tribe, area of Africa, and what type mask it is? Also if it would have any value or rarity?  Diane, 550 A: I’ve seen pig masks from several different West African countries, but a good guess is the Chokwe people of Angola.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Large Baga Nimba shoulder mask

    November 13, 2019

    Pende pumbu mask

    December 22, 2020

    From the Baule people of Ivory Coast

    December 17, 2015
36373839


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.

Archives

Masks of the World - 2025 ©