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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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    Carnival time is here

    January 16, 2018

    Masquerade in Switzerland and Germany

    February 9, 2017

    Believe it or not

    July 21, 2014
  • 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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    Toma Poro Society mask

    April 2, 2015

    Boolean version of African mask

    February 4, 2018

    Tourist masks can look good

    December 18, 2014
  • 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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    Him and her masks from Puebla

    September 19, 2016

    Entertaining Mexican mask by Candelario

    July 19, 2018

    Where did the snakes come from?

    July 17, 2014
  • 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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    Tschäggättä mask from Switzerland

    December 31, 2016

    Busos scare away Winter in Hungary.

    March 28, 2017

    Turnips fly at the Jarramplas Festival

    January 22, 2015
  • 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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    Just two more Indian masks

    September 17, 2019

    Old but still colorful Indian mask

    July 30, 2017

    Rare, old Indian mask

    December 3, 2014
  • 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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    Fall forward tomorrow

    March 7, 2015

    Tribal deformity and sickness masks

    November 20, 2018

    Latest mystery mask

    September 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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    Tourist masks can look good

    December 18, 2014

    Baule Kpan mask from Ivory Coast

    January 2, 2016
    Guere-Wobe

    Fine mask and a poem

    November 20, 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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    Mortlock Island mask

    August 16, 2017

    Many masks are made for money

    February 4, 2014

    Mask from Sepik River, PNG

    January 25, 2016
  • 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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    Praise for the new book, Masks of the World

    December 5, 2015

    The art of Paolo del Toro

    January 18, 2018

    Mexican decorative masks, collectible or not?

    December 6, 2018
  • 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

    Africa’s greatest mask

    April 27, 2020

    Pwoom Itok mask of the Kuba

    November 28, 2019

    African owl mask with handle

    April 28, 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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