• Home
  • Discover & Learn
  • Ask Us About Your Mask
  • About
  • Contact
Masks of the World

  • Home
  • Blog Home
  • Discover & Learn
  • Ask Us About Your Mask
  • Masks
  • Blog About
  • Home
  • Blog Home
  • Discover & Learn
  • Ask Us About Your Mask
  • Masks
  • Blog About
  • Africa,  Oceania,  Unknown

    Oceanic Mask?

    November 15, 2021 / No Comments

    Q: Daniela ask: Unfortunately I don’t know anything about the mask. We bought it from somebody in Czech.                                                                                                                        

    Read More
    Troy

    You May Also Like

    Kota Reliquary Figure

    August 30, 2015

    Another African mystery

    February 29, 2016

    A famous women’s society mask

    October 3, 2015
  • Oceania

    Dayak Mask from Borneo

    September 5, 2021 / 4 Comments

    Q: I found this carved wood mask in a consignment store several years ago. It is 20 inches long, has an articulated mouth and holes along the open edge in back to hold bark strips or hair. There are no modern materials used, no wire or nails. Just wondering if you knew where it might be from.

    Read More
    Troy

    You May Also Like

    From the remote areas of Indonesia

    August 23, 2013

    Ancestor mask from Papua New Guinea

    June 25, 2020

    Classic mask from the Sepik River area

    August 9, 2013
  • Oceania

    Uncontacted tribes are disappearing

    December 16, 2020 / No Comments

    Q:  The family member who gifted this was unsure if he bought it in PNG or perhaps Australia. Even if just a tourist item, I would love to know any information you could share, country, are they masks or shields, did the snake and waterfowl represent anything?  Robert, 1807 A:  We don’t often see masks like this any more. It has been made by a tribesman in a remote part of the Sepic River area of Papua New Guinea. I can tell it is one of his first masks for trading with white men. His choice of colors, designs and workmanship are a little off. Also, he did not attempt…

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    There’s an Easter surprise in the Philippines.

    March 28, 2017

    Maori mask from New Zealand

    August 16, 2017

    Papua New Guinea mask

    October 20, 2020
  • Oceania

    Gourd mask from East Timor

    November 18, 2020 / No Comments

    Q: I am unable to define the possible origin of this mask. Probably East Timor, Flores or the Malukus. Material is calabash, not coconut. Size 22 cm. It belonged to an old collection. Patrick, 1794 A:  Gourds can make excellent masks and are used by cultures in Europe, Asia, Africa, and all of the Americas.  This old example is beautifully done and in excellent condition. Patrick seems to know where it might have come from. I agree with him on East Timor. The are a number of indigenous groups there who do masks with this kind of simple decoration. And there are calabash-type gourds growing in that part of the…

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    There’s an Easter surprise in the Philippines.

    March 28, 2017

    Rough, old Timorese mask

    September 25, 2015

    Batak mask from Sumatra

    February 25, 2018
  • Oceania

    Papua New Guinea mask

    October 20, 2020 / 1 Comment

    Q: What a face…Mexican? Alma. 1783 A: Your mask is from PNG, more specifically, the Northern Sepic River area. You can learn more this type of mask by going to https://dev.masksoftheworld.com/25-in-ramu-mask-from-png/

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Old Melanesian masks

    May 9, 2020

    Hat mask from Vanuatu in Solomon Is.

    September 29, 2020

    Moluccans scrimshawed bone mask

    March 7, 2018
  • Oceania

    Hat mask from Vanuatu in Solomon Is.

    September 29, 2020 / No Comments

    Last night I watched Antiques Roadshow and was surprised to see a mask similar to this one, which comes from Oceanic Arts Australia. Authentic tribal masks are seldom seen on TV shows, or anywhere else, for that matter. This beautiful older and used ceremonial mask is from the Namba People from the interior of Malekula Island in Vanuatu. In 1986 trips were made to Vanuatu to look at traditional art and culture. The people took us into their homes, fed us and gave us a chance to get to know them and make contacts with tradition artists preparing for ceremony. This beautiful hat mask came from the village of Venamboas…

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Mask from Sepik River, PNG

    January 25, 2016

    New Guinea wood carving

    June 2, 2018

    Modern Maori woman’s chin tattoo

    November 28, 2017
  • Oceania

    Abelam yam mask from PNG

    June 25, 2020 / 1 Comment

    Q: Looking to ID this mask. The story is that it was brought back from somewhere in the Pacific Theater during or a little after WWII. It has a movable mouth (or lower jaw) and a tongue made up of some kind of rolled up material. Overall kind of beat up and moth eaten. Probably had some fur on it at some time and has a tail at the top. Kind of a rat shape to it. Overall length, not including the tail, is about 31″. Daryl, 1722 A: We are thinking this mask is from Papua New Guinea’s East Sepik Region. This is where the Abelam people live. A…

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Mortlock Island mask

    August 16, 2017

    25-in Ramu mask from PNG

    October 8, 2019

    Tago mask from PNG

    February 7, 2017
  • Oceania

    Ancestor mask from Papua New Guinea

    June 25, 2020 / No Comments

    Q: I inherited this mask and want to know more. Not sure where it was purchased, seems to be made of wood and quite large with strange swirls carved into the eyes. Mattie, 1721 A: Great ancestor mask from a Sepik River village in eastern PNG. Often these masks are made to be hung on the walls of the men’s meeting house. Notice that has no eye holes. Technically it is more like a religious sculpture. This carving has the distinctive features of the region, although the tongue is unusual. You might want to check out another one which also has a tongue hanging out: https://dev.masksoftheworld.com/mask-from-sepik-river-png/ Unfortunately, I’m not certain…

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    The famous PNG mud man mask

    February 19, 2017

    Classic mask from the Sepik River area

    August 9, 2013

    Classic Sepic River mask

    March 31, 2016
  • Oceania

    Old Melanesian masks

    May 9, 2020 / No Comments

    The first mask is from Northern New Ireland, Papua New Guinea; the second is a Tago mask from Tami Island, PNG; and the third comes from Kamge village in the East Sepik Province of PNG. These are 3 of 17 outstanding masks that represent different cultural groups occupying the large part of the South Pacific called Melanesia. They are all from all from the Australia Museum listed below. You will surely recognize some of them in other famous museums and books. After West Africa, Melanesia has the richest assortment of highly artistic masks in the world. During the 19th century many great European artists were profoundly influenced by the folk…

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Small PNG mask in nice condition

    January 6, 2016

    Mortlock Island mask

    August 16, 2017

    Old, worn primitive mask

    November 29, 2015
  • Oceania

    Cool tourist mask from PNG

    March 25, 2020 / No Comments

    Q: You have seen this helmet mask back in 2010. I wonder if you have any further information on it since then. I bought it from a consignment shop on lay away…college student…little money. Mickey, 1678 A: I can’t remember that far back, but today I think your mask is an impressive carving from the Sepik River area of New Guinea. It is too creative to be considered a reproduction, and is tourist art at its best. Let’s hope there are some collectors and curators of Melanesian artifacts who would love a modern version of PNG traditional art. B

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Micronesian mask from Mortlock Islands

    September 4, 2019

    Spectacular mask from the South Pacific

    February 19, 2016

    Ask the Mask Man or professional appraisal

    June 2, 2019
123


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.

Archives

Masks of the World - 2025 ©