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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

    You May Also Like

    Swiss Butzi by Othmar Klauser

    October 13, 2016

    Famous Comedia del Arte mask

    October 16, 2016

    Contemporary Greek carnival masks

    May 12, 2020
  • 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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    Bembe circumcision mask

    June 13, 2017
    restored Epa mask

    It looks like it’s just been created

    October 18, 2013

    Yoruba Gelede Mask

    May 29, 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

    You May Also Like

    The Devil’s Craft: A Mexican Papier-mâché Masterpiece

    August 3, 2023

    Mexican dog mask

    February 17, 2017

    What about this very old mask I inherited?

    July 16, 2013
  • 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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    European art mask

    May 29, 2016

    Basket-like mask from Europe

    March 4, 2016

    Long nose mask from Baden-Württemberg

    December 12, 2016
  • 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

    You May Also Like

    Mukaha mask from NE India

    December 6, 2017

    Large, old Nepali mask

    November 26, 2020

    Nice mask from Sri Lanka

    July 10, 2017
  • 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

    You May Also Like

    The famous Guy Fawkes mask

    August 4, 2017

    The famous dollar mask

    April 13, 2015

    Another beautiful Mahakala

    June 20, 2020
  • 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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    Classic mask from the Grasslands

    July 25, 2016

    Senufo or otherwise

    May 6, 2014

    Kota Reliquary Figure

    August 30, 2015
  • 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

    You May Also Like

    25-in Ramu mask from PNG

    October 8, 2019

    The only Micronesian mask

    May 23, 2018

    Ask the Mask Man or professional appraisal

    June 2, 2019
  • 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

    You May Also Like

    1500 photos & descriptions of masks

    December 19, 2018

    We-Guere Mask from Africa

    October 24, 2018

    Art mask

    April 6, 2016
  • 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

    Pwoom Itok mask of the Kuba

    November 28, 2019

    Sande Society mask of the Mende

    November 9, 2015

    Rare Bindji mask from DRC

    March 4, 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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