Lots of us like to wear masks to parties and special occasions. Here’s a line of masks that only cost $6.58 each. You have to buy the material and do the construction yourself. Ntanos furnishes the digital file, PDF and paper pattern. The picture shows my favorite. Go to www.etsy.com for more info about this British creation. Your friends will be impressed with your handiwork. Bob
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The art of Paolo del Toro
On our website we call this art and categorize it under “miscellaneous.” Like almost all of our ethnographic masks it is a combination of sculpture and painting. Pictured here are three large felt masks that can be worn or hung on the wall. Paolo is a young British artist who now lives in Lancaster, PA. I’m told he will soon begin making smaller sized masks. Art masks are rarely this creative. You can contact Paolo by going to apololedroot@gmail.com or you can visit his website.
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Old, wood Green Man mask
Q: I purchased this mask in an antique store in the UK for £85, it was labelled as an ‘ancient green man mask’– but I’m not sure if this is right. It is 34cm tall, 24cm at its widest and about 13cm deep. It seems like it is pretty old. I’m not sure if the red inserts in the eyes are original. It looks like the holes may have been filled in at some point. Any help identifying this mask would be great! Chris, 1256 A: Every thing you say is true. It could even be truly old with an interesting back story. And it sure would make a nice…
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Egyptian burial mask
The Artemis Gallery auctions are having a sale which will follow a chronological timeline that begins with Ancient Egypt and progresses through Greek, Roman and other Old World cultures. Here is a Romano-Egyptian plaster mummy mask of a young man, circa 30 BCE to 2nd century CE. Its hauntingly lifelike facial features, curly beard and straight hair are skillfully painted, with a palette of harmonious tones adding a natural look to the skin. Pretty nice looking for something that’s over 2000 years old. http://www.artemisgallery.com/
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The Darth Vader mask for Halloween
We’re getting close to Halloween. It’s an important holiday in the USA– relying heavily on masquerade, and second only to Christmas in its popularity. My favorite Halloween mask is the Darth Vader helmet. You could call it a futuristic version of Samurai armor. Rather than talk about Star Wars or construction details, I will point out that this is also a great work of art. To use a term most of our viewers are familiar with, it could become an important ethnographic artifact. Bob, 1222 Save Save Save
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The famous Guy Fawkes mask
The Guy Fawkes mask is a stylised depiction of Guy Fawkes, the best-known member of the Gunpowder Plot. The plot was an attempt to blow up the House of Lords in London on 5 November 1605, in order to restore a Catholic head of state. The use of a mask on an effigy has long roots as part of Guy Fawkes Night celebrations. A stylised portrayal of a face with an oversized smile and red cheeks, a wide moustache upturned at both ends, and a thin vertical pointed beard, designed by illustrator David Lloyd, came to represent broader protest after it was used as a major plot element in V…
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Deformity masks in other cultures
Q: As you know, collectors occasionally run into deformity and disease masks. I’d like to hear more about them. I’d especially be indebted if you started a blog thread on the topic. Nate, 1190 A: This first one is from the Ibibio people of Nigeria. It measures 7 3/4″ high. The small face with high raised forehead above tiny eyes, carved with no nose or upper lip and with teeth showing in the open face depicts either syphilitic yaws or a severe cleft palate. It comes from the Cobbs Auctioneers. The second one is a Mbangu from the Pende of the DRC. 12″ high. It represents a hunter who has…
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Horse bog shoe
It’s not a mask, but it looks like one. For years there have always been a few people who like to collect surprise art objects for their walls. I love this guy and will categorize him under “Misc.” Part of the fun is trying to guess what it really is. Here’s the story. In earlier times horses were employed to work in bogs and marshes where there was a danger of the horse sinking and getting stuck. Bog shoes of cut wood were strapped onto the horse’s hooves to allow the horse to stay above the bog. Think of how a snow shoe works. The bog shoe is big and…
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Mardi Gras goes back to 1699.
A French-Canadian explorer first brought the carnival customs, then Creole society began masking and dancing at private balls while revelers in disguise roamed the streets of New Orleans. Mardi Gras is also celebrated in many of the Cajun communities scattered throughout much of Louisiana, USA. These bizarre masks made out of window screen and other cheap materials are used by the locals even in the small villages close to the swamps. The masks and costumes are pure American folk art. Wild and crazy antics, much different than what happens at the parade in New Orleans, are practiced on this famous holiday by the rural Cajuns. Mardi Gras has some other…
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Anne Frank portrait mask
Q: I have this thank you note I keep forgetting to send to you for the wonderful inclusion of my work in your awesome book. Not only that but this book is a major source for me as reference and inspiration. Anyways I also thought I would keep you up to date with new work I’ve made. This one is a gold leafed Mache of Anne Frank. Patrick, 1084 A: Patrick Risse does many other types of contemporary art masks in addition to famous portraits. They are always one of a kind and very well made, but you don’t see them often on this website. I call them art masks.…
