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  • Unknown

    Very puzzling

    May 7, 2016 / 3 Comments

    Q:  I purchased a mask from a second hand shop in Shrewsbury, UK, last weekend. The mask is wooden but very light and is decorated with engraved lines. Some of the raised sections are highlighted with red, blue and white paint although this is quite well worn. The mask cost £60 and the seller believes it is from the early 1900s but didn’t have any definite information. I love the mask, which is why I bought it, but I would like to know more about its history and I hope that you or one of your readers can help.  Christine, 965 A:  I too find this mask attractive. Wish I…

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    Bob Ibold

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    A real puzzler

    July 21, 2015

    The Mask Man is stumped again.

    December 8, 2013

    Bronze helmet mask from where?

    November 13, 2019
  • South America,  Unknown

    Strange mask of natural materials

    September 22, 2015 / 1 Comment

    Q: I found it in a box at a garage sale in Naples, FL.. The lady said it was in her grandfathers garage with a bunch of other “junk”. I payed 5 dollars for it. The feathers feel real the face portion seem to be some type of pod that may have been closed at one point and then opened. The teeth seem real although they look more like animal teeth on the back it looks like a clay way molded so as when the feathers came through the front they would stick in the clay and stay in place when it dried.

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    Troy

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    Art from the Amazon jungles

    September 15, 2013

    Amazon tribal mask

    December 18, 2018

    Ticuna Indian mask with full costume

    December 29, 2015
  • South America,  Unknown

    Great folk art carving

    September 19, 2015 / 5 Comments

    Q: The heavy hardwood mask with a star on the forehead is, I was told, an older carnival mask from Trinidad & Tobago. It supposedly represents a policeman (hence the star). I’m not sure all this is accurate, but it does make some sense. I’ve never seen a mask quite like this one before. What do you think? Aaron, 838 A: You have a good eye for quality. I think this is an authentic mask, but like you, I’m not aware of carnival masks from Trinidad & Tobago looking anything like this.

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    Troy

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    Indian mask from South America

    March 31, 2017

    Black Moreno from La Paz

    August 12, 2016

    Ecuador pig mask

    December 3, 2016
  • Unknown

    Decorative or authentic

    August 30, 2015 / 4 Comments

    Q:  Here again I submit a mask that I have not been able to identify. Made of light weight, balsa like, wood. It measures 7.7″ in height x 7″ in width and 3″ in depth. I’ll be grateful for any input on the origin of this mask.  Louis, 823 A:  The Mask Man is stumped again. I just can’t remember where I might have seen something like this before. The front is fresh and may have been repainted. The rear could be showing real usage.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Yet another Mystery Mask

    August 3, 2015

    Old, used Urhobo mask, Nigeria

    July 20, 2018

    Very puzzling

    May 7, 2016
  • Unknown

    Yet another Mystery Mask

    August 3, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  I picked this mask up at an estate sale, but they could not tell me anything about it. It’s 13″ tall, 8.5″ at it’s widest and about 4.5″ thick. Can you help me figure out where it might be from?  Rick, 819 A:  This is another Mystery Mask the Mask Man can’t identify. Bulging eyes and big teeth rendered in a rough and primitive style. Most likely it comes from an area where the tourists are intrigued by “old tribal masks.”

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    Bob Ibold

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    Strange mask of natural materials

    September 22, 2015

    Ancient clay mask

    March 6, 2018

    Decorative or authentic

    August 30, 2015
  • Unknown

    A real puzzler

    July 21, 2015 / 3 Comments

    Q:  This mask was a gift from someone who bought it on E-bay. The seller had no information on the origin. Made of light weight wood and shows some repair work along with small nails around the brows and mouth area. some of the wooden teeth look not to be original. It measures 8 x 8 x 8 inches at widest points.  Luis, 811 A:  Occasionally we get what truly can be called a Mystery Mask. I have never seen one that looks like this.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Where is this mask from?

    October 22, 2013

    Presentational Javanese mask

    August 12, 2018

    The Mask Man is stumped again.

    December 8, 2013
  • Unknown

    Thai or Timorese mask?

    January 17, 2015 / 1 Comment

    Q:  I’ve had it about 25 years. It came from a guy who used to import furniture from Thailand and he just acquired it from some locals who got it many years earlier from a temple that was destroyed by fire. Whether or not that’s just a salesman patter or quite feasible– who knows? But I’ve looked through the net and haven’t got any more of a clue of what it is. It’s approx 32 by 19 inches and of heavy darkish wood. If you could shed some light on it I would be very grateful.  Alex, 730 A:  I haven’t seen a Thai mask like this.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Oceanic Mask?

    November 15, 2021

    Don’t worry about this “mask”

    February 19, 2018

    A mystery from Africa

    January 23, 2017
  • Unknown

    Heavy Metal Mystery

    January 2, 2015 / 5 Comments

    Q:  I recently purchased this copper mask online and was wondering what your thoughts regarding country of origin might be. It’s very well made and could easily be worn by an adult, though it’s fairly heavy. It’s similar in construction to the tin Bolivian masks I own, but not quite the same stylistically. Possibly Mexican or Peruvian? I’m hoping one of your dedicated followers may have some insight. Thanks, Dan, 724 A:  That’s a hum dinger of a mask!

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    Bob Ibold

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    Another Mexican Devil mask

    February 27, 2017

    Primitive mask purchased in Goa

    February 22, 2018

    Yao shaman’s mask

    August 3, 2018
  • 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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    Dayak mask from Borneo

    July 22, 2020

    Introducing… Masks of the World

    November 28, 2015

    Rare animal mask from Panama

    December 23, 2019
  • Unknown

    Here is a real mystery

    August 4, 2014 / 1 Comment

    Q:  I’ve picked up two masks recently. One is really unusual. It looks carved but almost like another skin substance has been placed over the face. It has corn type hair and big teeth. Pretty weird stuff.  Eileen, 667 A:  Far out!

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    Bob Ibold

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    Meant to be a pair, but from where?

    December 15, 2013

    Don’t worry about this “mask”

    February 19, 2018

    Great folk art carving

    September 19, 2015
12345


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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