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  • Unknown

    Stumped again!

    April 15, 2014 / 1 Comment

    Q: Thoughts on this one? I am being told its a 75-100 year old Malinche or dona marina from mexico… the wood type, carving technique on the front, and the shellac all make me think Japan-60-years-old.. little of this says Mexico to me.  The glaze seems to be truly of age, with a high patina per the pictures. Not sure I’d feel the same in person.  Nate, 632 A:  If a serious collector like you is confused, chances are I will be too. I’ve included a picture of the rear because it might help someone else identify the piece. Others should also note that the final coating, whether shellac or…

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    Bob Ibold

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    Mystery mask indeed

    March 16, 2014

    Thai or Timorese mask?

    January 17, 2015

    Strange art mask

    December 12, 2014
  • Unknown

    Mystery mask indeed

    March 16, 2014 / 1 Comment

    Q: The attached mask was part of the Chicago collection lot that I acquired last year. It was part of a bulk lot of Mexican masks, but this one is certainly NOT Mexican. It is carved from heavy wood, and I’m fairly sure it’s African, but anything beyond that, I have no clue. I made this a present to my ex-wife, who collects African masks. She likes it a lot, but would like to know more about it. Do you have any clues about this one?  Helmut, 620 A: That is a very interesting mask. I have never seen anything like it.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Don’t worry about this “mask”

    February 19, 2018

    This will be a tough one

    November 22, 2013

    Another mystery mask

    March 19, 2019
  • Unknown

    A big mystery

    January 13, 2014 / 3 Comments

    Q: Its big, (2+ feet tall), and heavy. The thing that has me on edge… someone took the time to carve out the back of this mask, yet it has no eye-holes. I cant imagine anyone (any culture) dancing something this heavy especially without a look-out. Moreover, if it was ever meant to be a passive shield tied somewhere etc.. then it wouldn’t likely be carved out on the reverse, right?  Seems like an impressive fake, but not much else. Thoughts?   Nate, 504 A: Of course, it could be a fake, but it could also be authentic.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Don’t worry about this “mask”

    February 19, 2018

    Interesting mystery mask

    May 6, 2018

    Popular tourist mask from somewhere

    December 13, 2018
  • Unknown

    Meant to be a pair, but from where?

    December 15, 2013 / 2 Comments

    Q: I found these two masks together in a bazaar and first thought they were the classic theatre faces happy/sad. I bought the pair for $7….soon realized they are not the theatre masks, but have no clue where they could be from. There are hole for the eyes, but no side strings to allow for wearing. The wood is light and looks like it was darkened with maybe black shoe polish on the backs as well. Do you have any idea where these masks could come from?  Paule, 595 A: I’ve never seen masks like these.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Very puzzling

    May 7, 2016

    Building a good collection is hard

    January 31, 2018

    Another mystery mask

    November 26, 2019
  • Unknown

    The Mask Man is stumped again.

    December 8, 2013 / No Comments

    Q: I’ve attached some pictures of a mask that I purchased that I can’t identify. It has aspects of African influences as well as Polynesian. I’m most curious about the style of the mouth. It is made from a very light weight wood and looks to have been carved in a manner that it may have been actually danced and not made entirely for the tourist trade. Brian, 592 A: The character on this has mask has both a turtle and a coiled snake on his head.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Heavy Metal Mystery

    January 2, 2015

    Thai or Timorese mask?

    January 17, 2015

    Strange art mask

    December 12, 2014
  • Native America,  Unknown

    This will be a tough one

    November 22, 2013 / 1 Comment

    Q: American Indian or Eskimo? The wood is old and light like cedar. Please help!  David, 586 A: I took a look at as many North American indigenous mask as I could.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Inuit small stone mask

    February 15, 2016

    Native American Octopus mask

    October 19, 2017

    I’ve never seen an Apache Ga’an

    September 10, 2013
  • Unknown

    Very strange mask

    November 7, 2013 / 4 Comments

    Q: Looks old & crudely carved wooden mask with animal, about 10″ tall, wood is light some cracking, no idea where from or what age, what do you think, Thanks,  George, 579 A: This could win “Strangest Mask of the Year.”

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    Bob Ibold

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    Mask made from a turtle shell

    November 12, 2017

    Mystery mask indeed

    March 16, 2014

    A real puzzler

    July 21, 2015
  • Unknown

    Tourist masks are plentiful

    October 25, 2013 / No Comments

    Most of the photos sent in are of tourist masks. Here are nine different ones, and I have seen each of them hundreds of times. These and other designs are being manufactured in many different countries. They are plentiful and quite affordable… if you do some comparison shopping, but don’t pay a lot of money for them. I always reply to the sender, but rarely post these tourist masks on the Mystery Mask blog. That’s because they are not worn in culture, nor can I be sure where they were made. A mask bought in Port-au-Prince could have been imported from Indonesia.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Primitive mask purchased in Goa

    February 22, 2018

    Mystery mask indeed

    March 16, 2014

    Bulbous-nosed Asian mask

    May 25, 2020
  • Unknown

    Where is this mask from?

    October 22, 2013 / No Comments

    Recently I saw this big, unpainted balsa wood mask and instantly fell in love. It was described as an “Unusual tribal mask of unknown origin.” It is 10 inches high and about the same width. The carving is thin and very well done. The rod that holds the articulating jaw is of strong vine-like wood. Of course, balsa grows in South and Central America and I vaguely remembered this mythological character from somewhere, so I thought I could ID it. I did the research, but with no success. Can you help?

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    Bob Ibold

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    Meant to be a pair, but from where?

    December 15, 2013

    Here is a real mystery

    August 4, 2014

    Ancient clay mask

    March 6, 2018
  • Unknown

    Stunning art, but not a mask

    September 11, 2013 / 4 Comments

    Q: I think this is bronze. Can’t find it anywhere on the net. The Cobras on the forehead and the turtles on the ears caught our attention as well as the symbols on the base.  Jim, 9-11-13 A: It is a very appealing bronze sculpture. From where, I do not know.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Mystery Mask Contest

    November 16, 2018

    Here is a real mystery

    August 4, 2014

    Ancient clay mask

    March 6, 2018
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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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