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  • Africa

    The spectacular hawk/butterfly mask

    January 2, 2016 / No Comments

    Q:  Hello, first thanks for your time. I’m looking for any information you can give me on this mask. It is 6 ft long, 15 inchs tall, with wings 1 inch thick. Location for face is 3 inchs deep.  Bruce, 881 A:  This is called sometimes a hawk mask and others say is represents a butterfly. Several different tribes use them in Burkina Fasso– such as the Mossi, Bobo, Gurunsi and Bwa. 

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    Bob Ibold

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    Pende Mbangu (sickness) mask

    March 3, 2020

    Kuba Bwoom mask from the DRC

    May 19, 2018

    Baule mask from West Africa

    September 22, 2018
  • Africa

    Baule Kpan mask from Ivory Coast

    January 2, 2016 / No Comments

    Q:  I bought this recently and was told its rwandan.  The guy said a catholic preist gave it to him as he did some work over there.  I just wanted a little mor info on it.  I bought it as a gift for my aunt and uncle.  Dave, 880 A:  Masks like this can come from several different tribes in Ivory Coast, West Africa. So I searched and found a mask that is similar in several ways. Here is what the copy said…  The Baule people moved west to the Ivory Coast more than 200 years ago and adapted masking traditions from their neighbors, the Guro, Senufo and Yaure peoples.…

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    Bob Ibold

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    Another Senufo Kpelie mask

    June 12, 2016

    Typical African masks bought by beginners

    January 16, 2021

    Kuba Bwoom helmet mask

    April 29, 2015
  • India & Himalayas

    Unusual Sri Lankan mask

    January 2, 2016 / No Comments

    Q:  I have a collection of masks from around the world that I am interested in selling. I have pictures of 8 of them that I can send to you at this time (there are more), mostly frontal views. I do not have the three views for each that you request on your form. I know some are African and some are from Southeast Asia, but I have no specific info on the origins of any of them. Would it be productive for me to send you the pictures I have now? They are somewhat unusual.  Risa, 879 A:  Risa did send me the photos and I picked out this…

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    Bob Ibold

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    Himachal Pradesh

    Primitive shaman’s mask from the Himalayas

    October 29, 2013

    Deformity masks heal the sick

    August 2, 2014

    Nepal: Urban Chaos, Living Heritage, and the Trail of Masks

    April 22, 2025
  • Mexico

    Little terra cotta head

    January 2, 2016 / 1 Comment

    Q:  This mask is from my grandmothers collection. They think it’s from possibly Aztec or Mayan era. I have researched it have come up with nothing. Please let me know what you think.  Brandon, 879 A:  From the Pre-Columbian era of Latin America, this little head is not a mask, but served some other purpose.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Old Devil masks for tourists

    July 1, 2015

    Gypsy mask from Tlaxcala

    April 9, 2016

    Master carver of the Sierra de Puebla

    March 23, 2015
  • Bali & Java

    Sometimes repairs are a good idea

    December 30, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  I have a very large wood carved mask. It is believed to come from Singapore.  It is a face painted red with black and gold. The face has a third eye on the forehead.  The approximate size of the mask is 24″ L, 18″ W. If you have an address I can send pictures to I would do so.  Charissa, 877 A:  This is a Buddhist-style mask that was made in Bali, probably for export or sale to tourists.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Unusual Balinese monkey mask

    July 1, 2019

    Old Balinese mask

    May 17, 2019

    Petruk from East Java

    July 26, 2017
  • South America

    Ticuna Indian mask with full costume

    December 29, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  My Aunt and I are on a search to find a new home for a set of Ticuna Indian artifacts her mother collected from the Amazon over 40 years ago.  Please let us know if you’d like me to send you the photos to see if you have any information about them or any interest in inquiring them.  Johnny, 876 A: First of all, apologies to everyone for my failure to do any posts in the previous week.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Piaroa-Huarime character mask

    March 11, 2021

    Payaso mask from the mountains of Ecuador

    May 11, 2016

    Ecuadorian monkey mask

    July 12, 2018
  • Africa

    Kuba bwoom mask

    December 17, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  The mask easily fits an adult, but some of the cowries are missing. There is also a crack which was repaired. I do not know much else. Thank you very much.  Derek, 875 A:  I think this mask is made to look like a Kuba bwoom mask. If it was actually to be used in culture it would probably have more exciting bead and shell decorations and be more carefully carved.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Strange but real

    April 7, 2014

    Blind man’s mask

    November 7, 2014

    Guere mask from Liberia

    July 30, 2018
  • Africa

    From the Baule people of Ivory Coast

    December 17, 2015 / 1 Comment

    Q:  I am working as part of a new BBC drama set in 1814. One of our main characters has links back to Africa and we are trying to find some information/ images of Ashanti masks of this year or just after/ before. I have struggled to find any information on this so far and I am not sure as to whether this tribe really used masks…. I was wondering whether you could offer any help or advice as to what African masks looked like during this time period?

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    Bob Ibold

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    Mystery Kuba mask from Central Africa

    December 2, 2019

    Simple Gelede mask from Nigeria

    January 13, 2016

    Big Bedu plank mask

    February 27, 2019
  • Native America,  Protection

    Eskimo sun glasses

    December 16, 2015 / 1 Comment

    Q:  These antique whale bone/scrimshaw goggles came from the Aleutian Islands near Alaska.  Would you have any idea the approximate age of these goggles?  How valuable would these be?  PJ, 873 A:  Indigenous people in the extreme Northern parts of the world have always carved goggles out of wood or bone with thin slits for eye holes. 

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    Bob Ibold

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    Native American mask

    March 11, 2021

    Bird masks from different cultures

    July 17, 2015

    From the far, far northwest

    March 31, 2014
  • Guatemala

    Bird mask with big bill

    December 14, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  A friend of mine is struggling to identify a certain mask. It is a bird with a curved, sharp protruding bill. Any info as to origin would be so very welcome.  Lioda, 872 A:  It’s a bird mask from Guatemala. I have seen hundreds of these over the years and they always were made for the tourist trade.  There is one traditional dance in Guatemala which features a hunter and a lot of different animals, but not  birds.

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    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Guacamaya character from Guatemala

    January 21, 2016

    Perfect photos of Guatemalan mask

    August 2, 2020

    Refurbished cowboy mask from Guatemala

    November 19, 2019
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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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