Q:  I have some wood masks that my father had purchased over the years, I believe predominantly in Mexico. I wondered if they have any value, and if you would be interested in purchasing if they do?  Robin, 1112 A:  Just looked at your Mexican masks again and realized that this one is pretty nice. It’s a Diablo that in many ways is traditional in style and symbolism, but I can’t identify where in the country it is from. If we new, it would have some value. Though it is not clear in your small photos, the mask may have been used in performance. The Devil is an important character…

Q:  We bought this mask in New Orleans in an antique shop about three years ago. It cost $90 and was from a man who collected masks. We would love to know where it comes from and have never seen another one like it. It was labelled as a wolf mask. Thank you so much for your assistance.  Jenny, 1108 A:  It could be a wolf or a dog. Both play roles in several Mexican dances. It would be nice to know what state it came from, the village and the dance. Brand new and without holes and straps, it was probably made for the tourist trade. I like it! …

Q:  Here is one of my latest Mexican mask acquisitions… appears to be turn-of-the-century. Do you agree? There is considerable aging… in fact I think I may have fell in love with the aging rings of the wood more than anything. Idea on character? I cant discern if its a hat he is wearing or poking fun at oversized eyebrows to be honest. I also find the two holes at the top of the mask interesting… I wonder what would have once been mounted there. Similarly, it looks like there are square pegs on top to bottom of the mask… again, not sure how that might have been used. Mask measures…

Q:  I purchased this mask in Creel, Mexico in 1989. The unusual thing about this mask is that while the Tarahumarans have always carved masks, I was told it was not common for them to create masks that depicted themselves. The other masks in the shop were all of white men. It is dated and signed.  Robin, 1095 A:  (Later this was written to Robin.) I forwarded your photograph to a former ASM Curator, Tom Kolaz, who has studied and written about Tarahumara masks for decades. He says the mask was made by Irmo Armendariz who used to live near Roseachic, Chihuahua. He is not Tarahumara but the area had…

Q:  I found this mask in a large box of unrelated items in  warehouse and would like to find out whatever I can about its origin.  Kathleen, 1082 A:  These kinds of masks have been used by the Huave people of Tehuantepec, Oaxaca, for many years. They are carved out of local wood and decorated with armadillo shell and hair. They’re so appealing to tourists that thousands of extras are made every year for sale. This is an extra and is not as carefully made as the ones used for the dance. Still, it is a nice addition to anyone’s Mexican mask collection.  B-

Q:  Per your request are the attached pictures. I don’t know anything further than what was in my ad. Antique, Turn of the Century, circa 1900-1920s Ethnographic, hailing from Mexico Thick patina, multiple layers of paint, quality craftsmanship Made of what appears to be an oversized piece of cedar Depicting a Caucasian Spaniard Larger than most at: 15″ x 8″ x 6 1/2″ in depth   I’d love to know the character. The mask is larger than normal, and does have notable holes around the top that indicate something once was attached up there such as hair or otherwise.  Nate, 1063 A:  Masks like this are hard to find, so it’s great…

Q:  I’m reaching out to you because I recently received four masks as a gift from my uncle who lives in Mexico City and would like to know more about them. They’re thought to be around half a century old, although I must admit I know very little about Mexican folkloric masks and therefore cannot be sure. The photographs I’ve attached are of one that particularly drew my attention, as it is shaped like an eagle, holding a snake’s (I’m assuming) head with a piece of twine in its beak (affixed with a small nail) and is painted in the colors of the Mexican flag. I haven’t seen too many…

Q:  This one is still a mystery. It appears to be a very old Mexican mask, but I’ve never seen one painted like this. It was purchased at an online auction many years ago, and the seller knew very little about it. Perhaps one of the regular visitors to your site can identify it.  Dan, 1046 A:  It’s a great little mask. My guess is that it was an old, beat up mask from Hidalgo that an artist decided to improve for the collector market. The Blessed Virgin, skulls and flowers are done in a cartoon technique that is very Mexican. Then the whole thing was coated with tinted varnish.…

Q:  This is a leather mask I think from Indonesia or Bali but it is one from Dads inheritance and I don’t know any more than that. It shows wear like it has been used over the years. I know, I played with it when I was a kid.  Rick, 1045 A:  I could take a wild guess and say it is Maravilla, the dog character in the Tecuani dance performed by the Nahua people of Guerrero. But leather masks are made in several other states of Mexico as well. When I enlarged your excellent pictures I though I could detect a coating of tinted varnish. That would suggest it…