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  • Oceania

    Mask from Sepik River, PNG

    January 25, 2016 / 1 Comment

    Q:  I came across this really interesting mask at an estate sale. They thought it might be Alaskan in origin. After i brought it home and did a little research of my own, i came across your website and from what i can tell i think it may be an example of a PNG Sepik River area mask.  Can you confirm or debunk this based on these pictures, and maybe give me an idea of how old you think it might be?  Eric, 899 You did your homework!  But now I want you to do more and try to find out how old this piece is. Mask made before the…

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    Bob Ibold

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    Is this PNG mask really old?

    July 18, 2019

    Uncontacted tribes are disappearing

    December 16, 2020

    There’s an Easter surprise in the Philippines.

    March 28, 2017
  • Oceania

    Lombok face mask

    January 7, 2016 / No Comments

    Q:  Since aprile 2015 me and my wife are living on Bali, Indonesia. While exploring the island we’ve met a lot of people and shops with some authentic stuff – statuettes, pictures, dishes and different kind of masks.  We are decided to find and sell masks for designers and collectors. Also I can try to find something very special for you here on Bali.  Demid, 885 A:  Most of the masks we see from Lombok (a large island to the East of Bali and Java) are those very long and narrow carvings with colorful paint jobs. Actually, those are not real masks but are decorative wall art for the tourist…

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    Bob Ibold

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    Moluccans scrimshawed bone mask

    March 7, 2018

    Demon mask from the Himalayas

    March 8, 2017

    Cool tourist mask from PNG

    March 25, 2020
  • Oceania

    Small PNG mask in nice condition

    January 6, 2016 / 1 Comment

    Q:  I need to know what kind of mask it is! I bought it in a street market in Spain and haven’t yet found any information about it! Thanks in advance.  It is 12 in in height, not counting the accessories.  Rafael, 883 A:  It is definitely from Papua New Guinea and looking very good.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Rare Micronesian mask

    August 20, 2016

    Mask from Sepik River, PNG

    January 25, 2016

    Yellow yam mask from PNG

    March 12, 2018
  • Oceania

    Old, worn primitive mask

    November 29, 2015 / 2 Comments

    Q:  I recently purchase this mask in an online auction. It was listed at “Oceanic carved wooden effigy”. Any other information would be greatly appreciated. The braided hemp rope is included (through eye sockets).  The size it is 15″H X 10″W 4.5″D.  Dale, 864 A:  This mask is so damaged I can’t identify it. All we have to go on is that someone said they thought it was Oceanic.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Rare Oceanic Mask

    February 28, 2017

    Dayak hudoq mask

    April 11, 2019

    Many masks are made for money

    February 4, 2014
  • Oceania

    Rough, old Timorese mask

    September 25, 2015 / 1 Comment

    Q: I acquired this mask on eBay. The seller told me it had been collected from an abandoned hut in East Timor and was circa 1800. That sounded a little romantic to me but it certainly looks very old and has a great character. Does it look Timorese to you? Mark, 842 A: Submitting two Mystery Masks in a row is something I try to avoid, but I must make an exception here.

    Read More
    Troy

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    Hudoq mask from the Dayak of Borneo

    November 9, 2016

    Carved wood lion mask from Asia

    July 6, 2015

    Mudman mask from PNG

    July 27, 2016
  • Oceania

    Carved wood lion mask from Asia

    July 6, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  The mask I am sending pictures of is something I picked up in Bali a few weeks ago while on vacation. What do you think? It looks like it may have been used and had been hung for quite a while. By the way, I live and teach in Vientiane Laos and picked up a mask a few years ago at an expat bazaar. What should I be looking for in Laos and northern Thailand?  Lance, 802 A:  I have seen masks like this before but need some help in identifying the place of origin.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

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    New Guinea wood carving

    June 2, 2018

    Rare Oceanic Mask

    February 28, 2017

    There’s an Easter surprise in the Philippines.

    March 28, 2017
  • Oceania

    Excellent mask from New Guinea

    May 24, 2015 / 1 Comment

    Q:  I just bought this at auction but know nothing about it. Any ideas about it would be appreciated. I’m interested in starting a small collection of masks.  Steve, 783 A:  This would be an excellent start to a collection. It is a very well made example of an ancestor mask from the Lower Sepic River area of Papua New Guinea.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Tago mask from PNG

    February 7, 2017

    Fern mask from Thomas Murray

    October 28, 2017

    Yellow yam mask from PNG

    March 12, 2018
  • Oceania

    African woven mask or PNG?

    February 7, 2015 / 2 Comments

    Q:  I purchased this basket-woven mask this week at an estate auction in Plainfield, NH, and have no idea of where it is from or its history. Any ideas?  Karen, 737 A: At first your woven mask reminded my of a yam ceremony mask from Papua New Guinea, but the structure of the rear looks more like something from central Africa.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Mask collecting for the rich

    May 10, 2017

    Woven yam mask from PNG

    March 18, 2018

    Sumatran helmet mask

    February 3, 2018
  • Oceania

    South Pacific Surprise

    December 10, 2014 / 1 Comment

    Q:  I found this in an antique store. They say its from Africa but it looks closer to New Guinea to me. I can’t find anything online. Could you help me out. It is approximately 9″ wide X 10″ high to edge of weaving. l collect almost any masks that are fairly old and not tourists models. I also carve NW Native Masks.  Scott, 709 A: You are absolutely right about New Guinea, but I’m not sure whether it is authentic or a strictly for tourists item. Let’s be positive and go with authentic. Definitely New Guinea. I have seen PNG masks of this size that have woven reed borders…

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    Bob Ibold

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    Classic Sepic River mask

    March 31, 2016

    25-in Ramu mask from PNG

    October 8, 2019

    Small PNG mask in nice condition

    January 6, 2016
  • Oceania

    Excellent example of PNG art

    July 14, 2014 / No Comments

    Q:  I bought this Mask and I would like to know where it came from. It is 31 inches long I bought it from a friend who inherited it for $100. I will send the back picture in a minute.Thank you.  Jean, 658 A:  You lucked into a nice example of an ancestor spirit mask from one of the tribes living in the Sepik River area of Papua New Guinea.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

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    Mask from Sepik River, PNG

    January 25, 2016

    Matua mask from Oceania

    October 22, 2017

    There’s an Easter surprise in the Philippines.

    March 28, 2017
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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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