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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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    Be careful of this guy

    December 7, 2013

    Even an expert can ask for help

    December 23, 2016

    A little about authenticity

    September 3, 2014
  • 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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    Bembe mask used for politics

    June 22, 2019

    Bundu mask of Sande Society

    November 11, 2020

    Bargain for classic African mask

    April 19, 2018
  • 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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    Yakut iron mask

    April 8, 2016

    Beautiful Buddha

    May 15, 2014

    Old, used mask from Nepal

    July 26, 2017
  • 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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    Mexican decorative

    May 28, 2017

    A poor mans Paragueros

    February 19, 2014

    Good-looking tigre mask

    September 23, 2016
  • 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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    Buying masks can be tricky

    September 10, 2016

    Bird mask from Indonesia

    October 25, 2014

    Garuda mask from Bali

    May 23, 2016
  • 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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    Very old Diablo Umo

    November 13, 2014

    Amazon Indian mask

    March 24, 2018

    Tukuma initiation mask from the Amazon

    May 30, 2017
  • 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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    Male version of Chi Wara headdress

    June 30, 2017

    Something different

    August 27, 2016

    A Tale of Two Masks from Nigeria

    March 23, 2017
  • 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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    Beautiful Guru maiden

    March 18, 2016

    One of my favorite masks… Chewa

    January 13, 2019

    Mysterious Pende mask

    September 6, 2020
  • 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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    Unidentified Eskimo mask

    January 18, 2017

    Bird masks from different cultures

    July 17, 2015

    Eskimo small stone mask

    January 11, 2019
  • 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

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    Unusual Maximon mask from Guatemala

    November 17, 2018

    Authentic new Guatemalan masks

    April 14, 2020

    The evolution of masquerade in Guatemala

    January 3, 2017
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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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