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…

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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?

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.