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  • South America

    Part 1: Bolivia’s Hidden Treasure – The Mask Museum Experience

    November 6, 2024 / 1 Comment

    Located in the heart of the city, the Bolivian Museum of Ethnography and Folklore’s mask exhibition is an unexpected gem for any mask enthusiast. Upon stepping inside, I was immediately transported into a world of culture, artistry, and history that I hadn’t anticipated. The exhibition was far more extensive than I expected, with each section of the museum meticulously curated to take you on a journey through Bolivia’s rich tradition of mask-making. The moment I entered, I noticed the impeccable museography that set this museum apart. Each mask display was thoughtfully arranged, with lighting that enhanced the colors and textures, bringing the masks to life. The auditory elements further enriched…

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    Paula Diaz

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    Black face mask

    March 30, 2014

    Ticuna Indian mask with full costume

    December 29, 2015

    Pre-Columbian burial mask

    July 24, 2017
  • South America

    Tikuna Animal Mask

    June 21, 2021 / 1 Comment

    Q: I am hoping that you might be able to help me identify this mask and shed some light about it’s origin/provenance/significance. My parents collected mostly African and Asian masks/statues and I consider myself to be (moderately) good at placing origin/regions, but this one completely stumps me.

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    Troy

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    Metal monkey mask from Bolivia

    May 26, 2019

    Old Peru wood mask

    January 6, 2015

    Part 1: Bolivia’s Hidden Treasure – The Mask Museum Experience

    November 6, 2024
  • South America

    Piaroa-Huarime character mask

    March 11, 2021 / 1 Comment

    Q:  I know this mask is from the Amazon. Alma, 1830 A:  It would help to know from whom, when and where you got it; and how much you bought it for. These Amazon Indians live on the Orinoko River between Colombia and Venezuela. They’re unusual looking masks are made of blackened beeswax which has been caved and colored with white clay. The base and fabric are also of natural materials found in the surrounding jungle. I don’t know who this character represents, but it was made to be used used in ceremony or sold to exploring tourists. There are many different masks depicting gods and animals as well. Some…

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    Bob Ibold

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    Old Bolivian funeral mask

    August 2, 2016

    Euro-Mexican mask

    August 4, 2016

    Another mask from the Deep South

    April 5, 2017
  • South America

    Amazon Indian dance mask

    December 30, 2020 / No Comments

      Q:  Wondering about the origin and use of this mask.  Tara, 1816 A:  There are still small tribal groups in remote parts of the Amazon Basin. This piece comes from the the Wayana-Aparal tribe who are located close to the mouth of the great river. The mask is called a Tamoko. Its skirt actually flows all the way to the ground, covering the dancer’s entire body. It is made by hand in the rain forest with many different natural materials. Your Tamoko appears to have been used in culture and could be of value to serious collectors and museums. Of course, I can’t be sure with just one photo…

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    Bob Ibold

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    South American Indian mask

    February 24, 2019

    Jaguar mask from the Chiriguanos

    August 18, 2017

    Recent Amazon Indian masks and costumes

    January 27, 2017
  • South America

    Wapuri mask from Bolivia

    June 9, 2020 / No Comments

    Q: I was gifted this mask by an eldrly friend a while ago and it has been in the attic ever since. She brought this mask, along with a a few others of similar nature, from Morocco in the 1960s/1970s to the UK. The only thing I could potentially pin this mask to is the Boujloud Festival in Morocco, but cannot find anything else to identify them. They are made form plaster/clay & are big enough to put over an adult head (14in x 8in). It also appears that thread was used to attach components such as eyes and hair. I also have another mask of the same style but…

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    Bob Ibold

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    Ecuador pig mask

    December 3, 2016

    Sheet metal Devil mask

    June 5, 2017

    World traveling mask

    August 31, 2014
  • Caribbean,  South America

    Woven Indian mask from Panama

    February 23, 2020 / No Comments

    Q: Found this “mask” at a thrift shop for 99 cents. I think it’s a mask, but have no idea of origins, or what it was used for. It is small and is tightly woven and beautifully put together. Any ideas? Mickey, 1664 A: Many of the photos sent to the Mask Man are of masks found in thrift shops. I usually don’t publish them because they are poorly made fakes. Yours is one of the few that deserves being in a good collection… providing it is large enough to be worn. (Small ones are for tourists only and therefore less desirable for collecting.) Either way, yours is a beautiful…

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    Bob Ibold

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    Boruca mask in need of fix up

    December 27, 2014

    Haitian masks are not expensive

    February 18, 2018

    Devil mask from northern Venezuela

    June 26, 2018
  • Mexico,  South America

    Pre-Columbian masks & statues

    November 26, 2019 / No Comments

    Q: My fiance just found in his 24 yr old Arizona storage unit what he termed a pre-Columbian figurine that shows the back was broken off some other clay object. He said “it’s the real deal”. It is 3-inches tall. Wondered if I send you pix if you could shed some more light on the authenticity and possible age? Pam, 1642 A: Small fired-clay masks and other sculptural fragments have been turning up at various parts of Meso-America for 100s of years. Often attractive, they can also be of archaeological interest. Eventually some of the skillful locals found they could easily replicate these artifacts and sell them to the rich…

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    Bob Ibold

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    Wish I knew more about this Mexican

    August 10, 2013

    Mexican day of the dead mask

    October 16, 2018

    Very old mask? Maybe.

    March 3, 2015
  • South America

    3 more Tukuma masks from Amazon

    November 7, 2019 / No Comments

    Q: Thank you for taking the time to take a look at these items. There are 3 figures. Each measure to approx 52 inches in total length. My grandfather acquired them in the Brazilian Amazon maybe 10 years ago. He got them directly from an indigenous tribe when he was on a excursion up through the Rio Negro with my brother. I don’t know the name of the tribe, however, after doing some research I was thinking maybe Tikuna? He told me that they were guardians against cannibals, but he could have made that up. He was quite the story teller. Let me know what you think. I’d love any…

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    Bob Ibold

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    Diablada mask from Ecuador

    January 8, 2017

    Rich masquerade in the Andes

    November 3, 2013

    Strange mask of natural materials

    September 22, 2015
  • South America

    Tukuna mask from NE Amazon region

    October 24, 2019 / No Comments

    Q: I have several masks that we collected while on an expedition in the Amazon during 1970’s. What tribe is this from and is it of any value? I do not collect masks, but I have several that I wish to sell or donate to museum. Sharon, 1626 A: Your mask is the most beautiful “crowned” Tukuna mask I have ever seen. The face is expertly carved, the round ears are cool, and the bark-cloth mantle is handsome. Also, it is still in excellent condition. The first time I saw one was about 40 years ago and I thought that an evangelical missionary probably gave them the idea for a…

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    Bob Ibold

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    Mexico or Ecuador?

    February 4, 2015

    PreColumbian clay mask, maybe

    January 9, 2017

    Payaso mask from the mountains of Ecuador

    May 11, 2016
  • South America

    Modern Amazon Indian mask

    July 17, 2019 / 3 Comments

    Q: I’m really just interested in the mask details as it’s really cool but heavily damaged. There really is no side as the mask is flat so I did a wide front, tight front and back. The hood appears to be very tightly woven burlap of some kind; possibly two or more layers of weave pressed together. I believe the mask is a very low temperature clay of some kind as it’s fairly brittle. There may be hairs in the clay. The clay appears to be coated with at least one layer of base coat before being painted over; possibly for smoothing or structure or simply color. There is a…

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    Bob Ibold

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    Part 1: Bolivia’s Hidden Treasure – The Mask Museum Experience

    November 6, 2024

    Mama Negra mask from Ecuador

    May 21, 2019

    Payaso mask from the mountains of Ecuador

    May 11, 2016
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Quiz - Test Your Mask Knowledge

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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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