Q:  I have a collection of masks from around the world that I am interested in selling. I have pictures of 8 of them that I can send to you at this time (there are more), mostly frontal views. I do not have the three views for each that you request on your form. I know some are African and some are from Southeast Asia, but I have no specific info on the origins of any of them. Would it be productive for me to send you the pictures I have now? They are somewhat unusual.  Risa, 879 A:  Risa did send me the photos and I picked out this…

Q:   I attached some of our mask for you to see.  Please visit  my Facebook page for more. https://www.facebook.com/Traditional-Kolam-Dancing-Maha-Ambalangoda-109452742477818/ The art of Ambalangoda masquerade and dance were invented about 250 years ago by the Tukkawadu Gunadasa and have been maintained to this day. Our generation has preserved many of the masks and costumes at a beautiful conservation center here in Sri Lanka.

Q:  Any and all masks that I find “speak” to me. It does not matter if they are collectible, tourist or decorative. My collection reflects very eclectic tastes. I would appreciate any information on this mask. It is carved out of very light wood, well painted and even has a little gold leaf still visible.  Mickey, 849 A:  This is an artistic representation of Hanuman, the monkey god of Hindu tradition.

Q:  Hello Bob, here’s a mask which comes from Sri Lanka. I found it in Tangalle, which is on the South coast if the island. It looks a bit ancient. Just wanted to share it with you…  Maillard, 848 A:  I thought we ought to share this beautiful mask with our visitors. Sri Lanka has a long history of masquerade which includes several different types of masks (this one is a Kolam), each of which can represent hundreds of different characters.

Q: This mask looks familiar, but I can’t quite place it. It definitely seems Himalayan. Is it maybe a Monpa mask from Tibet? I’d love to get your opinion. Aaron, 831 A: I don’t think it is Himalayan. Perhaps a little further south in India, maybe all the way to Sri Lanka. I would be glad to put it on the Mystery Mask blog, especially if you would send a little more info. Then Aaron writes: I don’t think it’s Sri Lankan.

Q:  I picked up this mask recently from an expat in Thailand. He bought it from the Chitwan region in Nepal.  He said it is a reverse shaman mask. I believe the beard and eyebrows to be yak hair. It also has 2 yak teething measures L22cm x W12cm. Could you tell me anything about this?  Dan, 806 A:  This is easy to recognize as primitive folk art from Nepal.

Q:  I am currently backpacking through India, and in Jaisalmer I came across a curiosity shop of sorts. I purchased the two masks pictured. One looks almost identical to what you identify as a Nepalese monkey mask. My question is about the cow-looking one. I found a great pile of dusty and dirt-covered animal and humanoid masks that appeared related (see photo I took in the shop). Initially the shopkeeper told me they were used in a village play over 100 years ago and then the next day his brother said they were hung on houses as evil eyes. Obviously I can’t trust either story and was hoping you could…

I thought you might enjoy seeing this Durga mask from West Bengal, India. It is15 inches tall and made of heavy papier-mâché. Durga is considered a primary deity in Hinduism and one of the greatest goddesses. Durga Puja is the biggest festival in much of Northeast India. Made for a professional Chhau dancer, this perfect piece, with its carefully molded crown, has been made of a molded fiber and plaster material that is quite strong, and then painted. This is a feature photo in the new reference book, Masks of the World, by yours truly. It should be available in about a month.  Bob, 774

Q:  I picked up this mask at a yard sale.  To me it looks very old.  Wondering if you knew what kind of mask this was or anything about it.  Its made of wood you can see its hand carved.  It’s approximately 9.5 inches tall and 4.5 inches wide.  Heather, 771 A:  Thanks for sharing your recent find which I think resembles a dog or some other animal.

Q:  Here is another mask I just acquired. Any ideas on where it is from.  Jim, 766 A:  It’s from the island nation of Sri Lanka, just off the southern tip of India. They still have a tradition of masquerade there that is alive and well. If you go to the Indian & Himalayas section of my website you can see and read about several of these character masks. https://dev.masksoftheworld.com/masks/himalayas/  B