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    Introducing… Masks of the World

    November 28, 2015 / 1 Comment

    by Robert Ibold and Troy Yohn If you could have only one book on masks, this should be your choice. From old, used traditional masks to modern decoratives, everything is covered. It is truly an encyclopedia of masks. Copies are now available in hardback, soft cover and ebook. If you want to see how we have organized the photos and descriptions of over 1000 collectible masks, please click here.  https://dev.masksoftheworld.com/masks-of-the-world-book/

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    Bob Ibold

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    Focus your collecting on something special

    June 28, 2020

    Modern wall art

    August 30, 2016

    Feathered carnival mask

    February 22, 2019
  • Misc

    Revealing the Trauma of War

    August 30, 2015 / No Comments

    “Brain injuries caused by blast events change soldiers in ways many can’t articulate. Some use art therapy, creating painted masks to express how they feel. Brain trauma from blast force is the signature injury of the Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns, afflicting hundreds of thousands of U.S. combat personnel. Although unseen, the damage strikes deeply into a soldier’s mind and psyche.” This is how a recent article in National Geographic begins. It has lots of pictures of masks made by the recovering soldiers. You can see the whole article by going to http://www.nationalgeographic.com/healing-soldiers/

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    Troy

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    Ancient Egyptian wood mask

    May 17, 2018

    Egyptian burial mask

    December 20, 2017

    We-Guere Mask from Africa

    October 24, 2018
  • Misc

    Steampunk mask by Tom Banwell

    August 30, 2015 / No Comments

    The Mystery Mask blog’s history is mostly about traditional masks from various ethnic groups around the world. This one is much different. Steampunk is a modern movement that gets some of its inspiration from the writings of Jules Verne and H. G. Wells. It celebrates a sci-fi fantasy of a steam-powered age. There are many other kinds of masks for Halloween, parties, celebrations, parades, decorating or just collecting. There are also masks that cover the face for other reasons. Some protect us from possible injury or sickness and others hide the wearer from recognition. These can be quite old or come from unusual places, others are just part of modern-day…

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    Bob Ibold

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    Bryan Stevens, 1944-2020

    April 18, 2020

    Part 2: A Closer Look at the Masks of the Bolivian Museum of Ethnography and Folklore’s

    March 6, 2025

    Prison art of beverage pull tabs

    February 18, 2018
  • Misc

    The famous dollar mask

    April 13, 2015 / No Comments

    In the spirit of full disclosure, I must confess that the maker of this unusual mask is a neighbor of mine whom I admire and whose work I will unashamedly promote. The artist is Mark Wagner and he has become well known in the world of fine art for his collages crafted out of US currency– specifically the one dollar bill featuring The Father of Our Country, missing in this case. I think you’ll enjoy seeing more of his art at http://markwagnerinc.com/

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    Bob Ibold

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    Lost in Translation: Why Your African Mask Isn’t Phoning Home

    August 31, 2023

    Another mask I need help with

    June 25, 2019

    Handheld home-made mask

    February 28, 2018
  • Misc

    Fall forward tomorrow

    March 7, 2015 / No Comments

    Some of you may not know about the Steampunk movement, or the fact that it includes masks. The genre started with Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, and Mary Shelley. Later the term steampunk was coined by K. W. Jeter in the late 1980s. It was a clever way to describe his and a few other authors’ style of writing, tying the word cyberpunk to the Victorian era.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Masks as art

    April 26, 2020

    Mask of the future

    February 27, 2015

    Big NWC Indian mask

    October 3, 2018
  • Misc

    Mask of the future

    February 27, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  I am a member of the Carapace Project’s team. We create customized masks using 3d body scanning technique and high-quality 3d printers. Your work and your website represent a source of inspiration for us and makes me feel you are one of those people who would like to see what “the mask from the future” looks like. So, we would like to introduce you our new collection, Carapace.  Fabrizio, 748 A:  This is pretty cool stuff.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Masks by James Ensor

    December 3, 2016

    The Darth Vader mask for Halloween

    October 17, 2017

    Celebrity mask we all recognize

    February 23, 2016
  • Misc

    Help Wanted

    February 7, 2015 / No Comments

    As usual, the Mask Man has posted answers that aren’t much help to the poor people who sent him pics of their Mystery Mask. I receive several requests per day and I answer all of them, but only post the most interesting ones. Some of those are mysteries to me as well. I need you to write back with a comment. Even a guess would be of some help!

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    Bob Ibold

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    Handheld home-made mask

    February 28, 2018

    Masks as fine art

    February 6, 2016

    Repros of ancient masks

    June 2, 2020
  • Misc

    Little trio of masks

    January 28, 2015 / 4 Comments

    Q:  In discussion with a friend, I took a picture of some of the masks on the wall. We were discussing the different origins of Carnival masks.  One looks like the Guy Fawkes mask… I think the other a Venice mask?  I came across your site, as we were trying to research. I unfortunately do not have detailed and separate photos. I know they are for fun and decorations, but if you could help identify where these masks are from, I would be very grateful. If not, I understand.  Ruhi, 734 A:  Seeing your photo of three store-bought plastic masks intrigued me.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Celebrity mask we all recognize

    February 23, 2016

    Dayak mask from Borneo

    July 22, 2020

    Mummers Parade in Philadelphia

    January 2, 2019
  • Misc

    Masks as art

    January 3, 2015 / 1 Comment

    This wonderful clay mask was done by my friend, Scott Paden, when he was an art student. (Today, many years later, he is Director of Preservation for OLBN, an architectural firm with offices in DC, New York and Beijing.)  725 Masks are a combination of sculpture and painting. Art teachers know that and will often assign masks as a class project that integrates social studies, literature, history and religion, and introduces the students to new materials such as papier mache, plaster, clay, metal, wood, etc. It can be a delight to see the results of these student efforts.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Lost in Translation: Why Your African Mask Isn’t Phoning Home

    August 31, 2023

    Old, wood Green Man mask

    December 20, 2017

    Primitive Tribal Masks 101

    September 25, 2020
  • Misc,  Unknown

    Strange art mask

    December 12, 2014 / 1 Comment

    Q:  I acquired this mask decades ago. I was told at that time that it’s South American, but they knew nothing more than that. It is carved of wood, covered with pebbles (?), then painted. It has a dark brown or black undercoat which shows slightly where it’s worn. I look forward to the benefit of your opinion.  Martin, 710 A:  I like to refer to these as “art masks.”

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    Bob Ibold

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    1500 photos & descriptions of masks

    December 19, 2018

    October 25, 2020

    Masks by James Ensor

    December 3, 2016
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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.

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