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  • East Asia

    Old monkey mask from SW China

    July 20, 2014 / No Comments

    Every so often I plan to repeat one of my favorite masks posted years back. This one is a Nuo monkey mask from Jinguan village, Anshun district, Guizhou provincial territory. It’s an 8.3 inch thin carving with a sturdy native repair. The old Nuo mask was obviously used for a great many years and the wear has resulted in a wonderful patina. The monkey’s face is portrayed with deftly carved lines and each eye is highlighted with a  metal tack. In my opinion– Chinese folk art at its best. Masks like this are becoming hard to find.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Maori design on masks and tattoos

    April 1, 2014

    Mask from Timor, East Asia

    August 23, 2018

    Japanese fox mask with moving jaw

    September 19, 2018
  • East Asia

    Emit mask from Thailand

    July 2, 2014 / No Comments

    Q: Here is the latest Ermit mask I found and it is probably the best one I got so far . Comes from the personal home shrine of a Thai person I met. It’s very funny how nobody pays attention to these particular masks. Most antique dealers here focus on traditional dance Khon masks but not on Ermit masks which happen to be more interesting and more powerful because they are still used in Shamanist-Brahmanist ceremonies. Feel free to use the pic for your book if you want.  Cheers , Stephff,  652 A:  Thanks for your help.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Chinese opera mask

    May 29, 2019

    Woman character in Noh theater

    February 12, 2018

    Old Man mask of Japanese Noh theater

    December 24, 2017
  • East Asia

    The Dayak people’s favorite

    June 11, 2014 / No Comments

    Q:  I found this mask in a Chinese junk shop in Miri Borneo. I believe it to be pretty old but don’t know the story behind it. What or who does this represent. 16″ H, 11″ W.  Scott, 647 A:  It is from Borneo and is called a Hudoq mask.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Hawaiian warrior’s mask

    June 9, 2015

    A charming old carving

    October 20, 2014

    Chinese dragon mask

    June 4, 2018
  • East Asia,  India & Himalayas

    Beautiful Buddha

    May 15, 2014 / 2 Comments

    Q:  I’ve had this and another very similar mask for some 15yrs. They were found in a skip! 18″ tall 11″ wide and made I think of balsa, they are very light anyway and feel furry. I have seen Balinese masks similar but very rough in comparison. Where do you think they are from and what age? The faces were bright white but years of hanging in my Scottish cottage with smoky wood burner has given them a ‘mature patina’ Ha ha!  Al, 641 A:  This is a sculpture of the Buddha, not a mask.

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    Bob Ibold

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    New Guinea mask

    December 27, 2014

    Nuo mask from Guangxi, China

    August 24, 2017

    The Dayak people’s favorite

    June 11, 2014
  • East Asia

    Many Japanese masks are for display

    April 9, 2014 / No Comments

    Q:  Handed down from great, great Japanese grandfather, don’t know history before that. Have matching Buddha face. Made from clay? Approx. 7 ins.  Nancy, 631 A:  How nice it is to have a handsome piece that used to belong to your grandfather.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Beautiful Khon mask from Thailand

    June 7, 2018

    Japanese Noh demon

    May 12, 2015

    Why such a distorted Japanese mask?

    September 17, 2018
  • East Asia

    Maori design on masks and tattoos

    April 1, 2014 / 1 Comment

    Q:  That would be just fine with me if you post my Maori mask on your blog.  I purchased it in 1989 at The Auckland Museum.  The mask measures 5 ½ “ x 11 ¼ “.  Edward, 628 A:  I’ve never had a Maori item on the Mystery Mask blog.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Giant Shinshu mask from Japan

    October 21, 2016

    Wuhan has masks also

    June 9, 2020

    Unusual yam mask

    October 18, 2014
  • East Asia

    One of the great masks of the world

    November 24, 2013 / No Comments

    Q: (Part of an email that included several recently purchased masks.) The Baining mask is gigantic, about 5 feet tall from chin to top and maybe 3.5 feet long.  I have nowhere to put it, so it’s piled on my other masks.  I need a museum at this point.  Aaron, 587 A: Congratulations on your recent acquisitions.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Wuhan has masks also

    June 9, 2020

    Especially colorful Hanhoe mask

    June 3, 2015

    Asian mask for decor or memories

    September 14, 2015
  • East Asia

    Unusual metal mask from Indonesia

    October 9, 2013 / No Comments

    Q:  A friend has sent me this metal mask. I don’t think it’s authentic ethnographic but I can’t place the likely origin. I thought possibly Indonesian. Any ideas?  Jon, 567 A:  I agree on Indonesia, the southern part, Timor or Sumba.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Japan uses the most masks

    October 12, 2018

    Khon mask for Thai dancers

    February 9, 2016

    The best Noh masks are carved wood

    August 21, 2013
  • East Asia

    What makes a mask desireable?

    October 4, 2013 / No Comments

    Q: I keep finding slightly damaged Japanese masks on the market. Do the Japanese grade things differently than the US does? This seems to confirm it. The Japanese seller considers this mask to be “fair.” Interesting to see such different grades of quality being applied.  Nate, 563 A: A lot of Western collectors are obsessed with authenticity.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Black-faced monk from Korea

    May 26, 2017

    Beautiful Buddha

    May 15, 2014

    3 Japanese masks new to me

    August 4, 2020
  • East Asia

    Japanese repros are desirable

    September 10, 2013 / No Comments

    Q: I picked up 8 of these Masks at a estate sale. Would like to know what you think of them. All are signed but one. I do not know ofwhat material they are made. 9  x 7 inches, there seems to be some wear on nearly all of them.  Pete, 541 A: All 8 of your Japanese masks were made at the same work shop.

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    Bob Ibold

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    It looks authentic to me

    August 15, 2013

    Noh masks can change expression

    February 15, 2018

    Maiden mask from Korea

    January 9, 2019
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Quiz - Test Your Mask Knowledge

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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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