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  • Oceania

    Who knows this wild man?

    May 2, 2014 / No Comments

    Q:  I’ve bought this mask at an estate sale in Philly two years ago, as I initially thought it might be a mask of the Iroquois ‘False Face Society’ or from the American North-West Coast. But once I’ve seen a quite similar example on the web I’m inclined to believe it is a mask made for the trade at around the mid 20th century or slightly before. Greetings from Austria,  Herb, 635 A:  These exciting characters come from somewhere in Indonesia.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Many masks are made for money

    February 4, 2014

    Dayak Mask from Borneo

    September 5, 2021

    Colorful PNG mask

    September 27, 2016
  • Oceania

    Many masks are made for money

    February 4, 2014 / No Comments

    Q: The pictures I sent were my dad’s mask today it fell off the wall and landed face up on the floor it was about 5 to 6 feet from the wall when I turned it over my dad labeled it with the name Tambanan Devil Mask it was hanging on a wall 7-8 feet high!!!! It was eerie and I’ve had things happening since New Year’s Day 2014 and I’m trying to figure this out!!!!  Susan, 609 A: Your dad bought a tourist mask made somewhere in Papua New Guinea.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Papua New Guinea mask

    October 20, 2020

    Classic mask from the Sepik River area

    August 9, 2013

    Carved wood lion mask from Asia

    July 6, 2015
  • Oceania

    A popular god in Asia

    November 10, 2013 / 4 Comments

    Q: I would like to find out where this mask is actually from and what it represents. I bought it 14 years ago in a decoration boutique in Belgium, where I live, for 100 dollars. The guy told me it was Indonesian, but I’ve always had a doubt. It is made of wood, it is quite heavy. It is rather a wall decoration, as it is not carved at the back. Many thanks for any details you may give me.  Valerie, 580 A: This is a handsome portrayal of Garuda, an important bird-like god that appears in both Hindu and Buddhist mythology throughout Asia.

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    Bob Ibold

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    There’s an Easter surprise in the Philippines.

    March 28, 2017

    Moluccans scrimshawed bone mask

    March 7, 2018

    Excellent mask from New Guinea

    May 24, 2015
  • Oceania

    From the remote areas of Indonesia

    August 23, 2013 / No Comments

    Q: The seller bought this mask 20 years ago in Bali. But he doesn’t think it comes from there. Someone told him it was from Sulawesi and that it could have been made to celebrate dead people. It’s wood and 8″ x 5″  large with hair, cloth and a wood stopper attached to a cord. Do you have any idea of its true origin and age?  Philip, 535 A: Just north of Bali are the much larger islands of Sulawesi and Borneo. Either is a possibility. This appears to be an ethnographic artifact worth learning more about.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Oceanic Mask?

    November 15, 2021

    New Guinea wood carving

    June 2, 2018

    Mah Meri mask from Malaysia

    February 2, 2016
  • Oceania

    Classic mask from the Sepik River area

    August 9, 2013 / No Comments

    Q: Can you tell me more about this mask from PNG? Julie, 522 A:  It is a classic mask from the Sepik River area of Papua New Guinea.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Who knows this wild man?

    May 2, 2014

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    January 25, 2016
567


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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