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  • Europe

    Unique to one town in Spain

    December 11, 2015 / 1 Comment

    Q:  Bob, would you know where I can buy a Cigarron mask and also a Caretos masks, thank you.  Liam, 871 A:  Until your email I had never heard of the Cigarrones. It turns out they are part of an annual festival that is unique to a single town, Verin, in Galicia, Spain. There are many cities and towns all over the world that have special events that utilize masquerade.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Turnips fly at the Jarramplas Festival

    January 22, 2015

    European Theater Mask

    July 30, 2021

    There’s an Easter surprise in the Philippines.

    March 28, 2017
  • Africa

    Makonde breast plate

    December 10, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  Not so much a mask, but I thought it may be of interest.  What do you think?  Andrew, 870 A:  Many mask collectors consider this to be a kind of mask. It is usually worn by a man who has a carved wood helmet mask over his entire head. I would call it a pectoral mask of a pregnant female torso with enlarged nipples and a herniated umbilicus. Also note the abdominal tattoos that have been slightly highlighted with the same dark stain as the nipples and navel.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Another interesting mystery

    February 1, 2016

    Chokwe Pwo mask

    May 18, 2018

    Lele mask from the Congo

    September 10, 2017
  • Mexico

    Mexican masks can be very real

    December 9, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  I just lost an auction for an awesome female Catrine mask.  Here’s a photo of it; the eyelids do not close.  With commission, it sold for $1400.  I had bid $1100 and lost, and I’m very disappointed, as you can imagine.  I really wanted that mask.  Aaron, 869 A:  You have my sympathy. 

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    Bob Ibold

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    Day of the Dead masks from Mexico

    October 20, 2017

    Show stopper from Guerrero

    October 6, 2014

    Holy Week mask from NW Mexico

    December 5, 2017
  • Europe

    Traditional mask from the Swiss Alps

    December 7, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  I’ve just picked up this mask from an antique dealer in Paris. Apparently it’s a late 19th century Swiss mask. The teeth appear to be real but I’m not sure, and the hair feels to be human but considering its still attached to hide common sense says its probably horse.  The dimensions of the mask are 30cm X 18cm.  Is there anything you can tell me about it?  PS: my girlfriend has bought me your book for xmas, without my even asking her! A:  This is a Roitschaeggaetae mask from the Loetsch Valley of Wallis Canton in the mountains of Switzerland.

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    Bob Ibold

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    There’s an Easter surprise in the Philippines.

    March 28, 2017

    European art mask

    May 29, 2016

    Classic Viennese carnival mask

    January 8, 2018
  • India & Himalayas

    Old Kolam mask from Sri Lanka

    December 6, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:   I attached some of our mask for you to see.  Please visit  my Facebook page for more. https://www.facebook.com/Traditional-Kolam-Dancing-Maha-Ambalangoda-109452742477818/ The art of Ambalangoda masquerade and dance were invented about 250 years ago by the Tukkawadu Gunadasa and have been maintained to this day. Our generation has preserved many of the masks and costumes at a beautiful conservation center here in Sri Lanka.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Mahakala mask from Nepal

    January 15, 2016

    Don’t be fooled by old looks

    August 26, 2014

    Traditional Sri Lankan mask

    April 17, 2015
  • Misc

    Praise for the new book, Masks of the World

    December 5, 2015 / No Comments

      Five experts in masks and other tribal art were kind enough to send us their comments. “This is a dictionary of masking that not only looks at the persona of the mask, but will aid in defining its use, ethnicity and geographical origin.” – Jim Pieper, author of Guatemalan Masking and Guatemalan Folk Saints “Unlike most of the reference books in my library, this one is more about the artistic qualities of folk art, and less prejudiced against invented or decorative objects.” – Bryan Stevens, author of Mexican Masks and Puppets “After reading this book you will have taken your first course in mask collecting. You will be able…

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    Bob Ibold

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    Egyptian burial mask

    December 20, 2017

    Yakut iron mask

    April 8, 2016

    Muslim masks

    May 18, 2019
  • Africa

    Red Mwana Pwo mask

    December 2, 2015 / 7 Comments

    Q:  I was recently in South Africa and purchased a mask in the Green Market in Cape Town. I paid around $75 for it and was impressed by the vendor’s knowledge of the different masks he had. This one especially caught my attention as it was so different than the others. I would love to know about its origins and anything else you might determine.  Alan, 865 A:  This looks like a Mwana Pwo mask from the Chokwe people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

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    Bob Ibold

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    13 Yaka masks in Brussels show

    February 8, 2018

    Igbo crest mask from Africa

    November 24, 2020

    More about tourist carvings

    October 26, 2013
  • Oceania

    Old, worn primitive mask

    November 29, 2015 / 2 Comments

    Q:  I recently purchase this mask in an online auction. It was listed at “Oceanic carved wooden effigy”. Any other information would be greatly appreciated. The braided hemp rope is included (through eye sockets).  The size it is 15″H X 10″W 4.5″D.  Dale, 864 A:  This mask is so damaged I can’t identify it. All we have to go on is that someone said they thought it was Oceanic.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Lovely piece of PNG art

    March 17, 2016

    Uncontacted tribes are disappearing

    December 16, 2020

    Dayak Mask from Borneo

    September 5, 2021
  • Misc

    Introducing… Masks of the World

    November 28, 2015 / 1 Comment

    by Robert Ibold and Troy Yohn If you could have only one book on masks, this should be your choice. From old, used traditional masks to modern decoratives, everything is covered. It is truly an encyclopedia of masks. Copies are now available in hardback, soft cover and ebook. If you want to see how we have organized the photos and descriptions of over 1000 collectible masks, please click here.  https://dev.masksoftheworld.com/masks-of-the-world-book/

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    Bob Ibold

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    We-Guere Mask from Africa

    October 24, 2018

    Another mask for Muslim women

    June 29, 2018

    Strange art mask

    December 12, 2014
  • Africa

    Lenape Indian helmet mask?

    November 24, 2015 / 3 Comments

    Q:  My friend purchased this ceremonial Natvie American mask from someone in the same area where we live, Schuylkill County, PA. This is what we were told: it is a Native American ceremonial “good luck” mask named the Black Eagle, probably just because of the large nose. It was said to be 100-150 years old. It was thought to be Lenape  Indian in style. Someone else told us he thought it was Seminole.  It is a lighter density wood, 13 1/2 ” high by 12″ across. It weighs only 5 1/2 pounds and is life sized to go on someone’s head. There are good luck rolling logs on either cheek.

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    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Sande Society mask of the Mende

    November 9, 2015

    Another Kwele mask from Gabon

    April 6, 2017

    Large Baga Nimba shoulder mask

    November 13, 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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