• Home
  • Discover & Learn
  • Ask Us About Your Mask
  • About
  • Contact
Masks of the World

  • Home
  • Blog Home
  • Discover & Learn
  • Ask Us About Your Mask
  • Masks
  • Blog About
  • Home
  • Blog Home
  • Discover & Learn
  • Ask Us About Your Mask
  • Masks
  • Blog About
  • Africa

    Central African mask with nasty smile

    November 1, 2015 / No Comments

    Q: This was my brother’s, who was a catholic priest and served at least two seasons at a mission school in Kenya around 1970. Kikuyu. He may have been given this mask, along with some other things, when he left there, or he may have bought it. He also traveled around I’m sure. Mask is 13.5 in tall, wood is lightweight and looks to be blackened, maybe with a stain. John, 851 A: Neither the Kikuyu people or other groups in Kenya use masks.

    Read More
    Troy

    You May Also Like

    Punu mask from Gabon

    January 12, 2016

    Guro Zamble mask

    September 8, 2017

    Another West African hybrid

    March 30, 2016
  • Africa

    Punu mask from Gabon, West Africa

    October 26, 2015 / 1 Comment

    Q: I have bought this mask on a second-hand market. There was no further information about it, I would be delighted to know where the mask is coming from and whether it is authentic. The mask smells like fire but there are no burn marks to see. There are traces of use, for example, to see on the inside left is a dark spot, it looks like of the face often scoured against that spot. At the 2 holes you see that the rope has left traces there. Yber, 850 A: I apologize for taking so long to answer. We have been working on this website for several weeks.

    Read More
    Troy

    You May Also Like

    Complex African traditional art

    September 15, 2018

    Bamana Ntomo mask from Mali

    June 15, 2017

    Tourist junk can be desirable

    December 30, 2013
  • India & Himalayas

    Hanuman the monkey god

    October 18, 2015 / 2 Comments

    Q:  Any and all masks that I find “speak” to me. It does not matter if they are collectible, tourist or decorative. My collection reflects very eclectic tastes. I would appreciate any information on this mask. It is carved out of very light wood, well painted and even has a little gold leaf still visible.  Mickey, 849 A:  This is an artistic representation of Hanuman, the monkey god of Hindu tradition.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Famous 10-headed King Ravana

    September 10, 2013

    Himalayan mushroom mask

    August 1, 2016

    Garuda mask from India or the Himalayas

    February 28, 2020
  • India & Himalayas

    Great little Sri Lankan mask

    October 14, 2015 / 1 Comment

    Q:  Hello Bob, here’s a mask which comes from Sri Lanka. I found it in Tangalle, which is on the South coast if the island. It looks a bit ancient. Just wanted to share it with you…  Maillard, 848 A:  I thought we ought to share this beautiful mask with our visitors. Sri Lanka has a long history of masquerade which includes several different types of masks (this one is a Kolam), each of which can represent hundreds of different characters.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    From an island off the tip of India

    August 23, 2017

    9 Mahakalas on 1 plaque

    July 13, 2018

    Rare, old Indian mask

    December 3, 2014
  • East Asia

    Royal official from Guizhou

    October 7, 2015 / 1 Comment

    Q:  Here’s a mask I bought some days ago from a man who told me it came from India, more precisely in Rajasthan, but how can I be sure? It cost me about 12€. What do you think of it?  Thanks, Maillard, 847 A:  I think this is a Nuo or exorcising mask from Guizhou, a mountainous province in southwest China.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Many Japanese masks are for display

    April 9, 2014

    Chinese opera mask

    May 29, 2019

    A little about age

    September 6, 2014
  • Africa

    A popular mask from Ivory Coast

    October 5, 2015 / No Comments

    Q: We inherited this from my grandfathers estate. It was a gift to him from one of his traveling friends. He died in 1975, so it is older than that. No other info, just curious about it. I grew up calling him “Alfred” and have fond memories of it. Katie, 846 A: If you look at this blog’s “Africa” category, you will see many masks similar to this one. It is a Kpelie mask from the Senufo people of Ivory Coast, West Africa. Its design and decorations can vary considerably.

    Read More
    Troy

    You May Also Like

    Well-known African mask

    December 18, 2014

    Modern Chokwe mask?

    June 25, 2017

    Mbunda wise, old man mask

    October 11, 2020
  • Africa

    A famous women’s society mask

    October 3, 2015 / No Comments

    Q: I have two Masks which I inherited and that I would like a quote on for an appraisal. Hopefully you can help me with this. Here is the 1st mask. Thanks, Len, 845 A: I will be glad to appraise your two masks and will respond separately. In the meantime, I want our viewers to see this Sande Women’s Society helmet mask made by the Mende people of Sierra Leone, and used for various rights of passage in that culture.

    Read More
    Troy

    You May Also Like

    Souvenirs vs. Traditional Art

    May 28, 2015

    Nice story about two masks

    October 17, 2020

    3 African Helmet Masks

    August 17, 2020
  • Mexico

    Devil or bird?

    September 28, 2015 / No Comments

    Q: This mask weighs only five ounces. It is around 10-11″ tall and 7″ across the forehead. I acquired it from a long time antique collector/hoarder in Central Alabama. Any assistance you could provide in identification would be most helpful. Kathy, 844 A: From somewhere in Mexico, this strange little guy is quite a character. Unfortunately, it has never been painted. Mexicans like to finish their masks with bright colors. However, they occasionally leave them unpainted for the tourist trade.

    Read More
    Troy

    You May Also Like

    Mexican deer mask

    February 28, 2018

    A different kind of devil

    September 25, 2014

    Mexican masks are very collectible

    September 6, 2019
  • Africa

    From somewhere in West Africa

    September 28, 2015 / 2 Comments

    Q: I was wondering what the origins of this particular mask are. A friend of mine acquired it through a house clearance shop but we cannot really tell you anything about where it came from. The hollowed out rear seems to have been burned out, as it is blackened by soot. It is also made of a quite strong smelling wood, possibly to do with age. This specimen is about a foot in total length, from chin to top of the hair. Thank you in advance. Perry, 843 A: This is a black helmet mask that combines many features of various West African cultures.

    Read More
    Troy

    You May Also Like

    Lele mask from DRC

    March 9, 2019

    Another mystery mask from West Africa

    August 1, 2015

    Baga snake headdresses from Guinea Bassau

    July 27, 2019
  • Oceania

    Rough, old Timorese mask

    September 25, 2015 / 1 Comment

    Q: I acquired this mask on eBay. The seller told me it had been collected from an abandoned hut in East Timor and was circa 1800. That sounded a little romantic to me but it certainly looks very old and has a great character. Does it look Timorese to you? Mark, 842 A: Submitting two Mystery Masks in a row is something I try to avoid, but I must make an exception here.

    Read More
    Troy

    You May Also Like

    Uncontacted tribes are disappearing

    December 16, 2020

    Abelam yam mask from PNG

    June 25, 2020

    The only Micronesian mask

    May 23, 2018
101102103104105


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.

Archives

Masks of the World - 2025 ©