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  • 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.

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    Troy

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    Pende pumbu mask

    December 22, 2020

    Kuba nyet mask

    June 16, 2016

    Mask from Burkina Faso

    March 27, 2018
  • 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.

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    Troy

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    Contemporary mask from Africa’s DRC

    September 17, 2019

    Masks from Sierra Leone

    June 29, 2020

    Ekoi mask comparison

    February 14, 2017
  • 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.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Indian folk art at its best

    March 11, 2015

    Primitive Nepalese mask

    October 17, 2019

    Why Does My Nepalese Mask Have a Red Wax Seal?

    March 7, 2025
  • 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.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Himalayan mask of Mahakala

    February 5, 2018

    Old but still colorful Indian mask

    July 30, 2017

    Mukaha mask from NE India

    December 6, 2017
  • 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.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Could be controversial

    December 14, 2014

    Maiden mask from Korea

    January 9, 2019

    Chinese Nuo Opera mask

    April 24, 2020
  • 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.

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    Troy

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    Kota reliquary mask from Gabon

    March 22, 2020

    Beautiful Yaure mask from Africa

    October 21, 2017

    Pair of Chi Wara “masks”

    July 6, 2014
  • 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.

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    Troy

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    Another African hybrid

    January 14, 2014

    Ekoi animal skin masks

    December 14, 2016

    Lipiko mask from East Africa

    February 24, 2018
  • 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.

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    Troy

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    New mask from Michoacan

    April 15, 2018

    Unusual Mexican decorative mask

    December 1, 2017

    Wish I knew more about this Mexican

    August 10, 2013
  • 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.

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    Troy

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    Turtle shell Bwami mask from Africa

    October 5, 2020

    Beautiful religious artifact

    September 24, 2013

    The sixth Chewa mask

    November 1, 2020
  • 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.

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    Troy

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    New Guinea wood carving

    June 2, 2018

    Batak mask from Sumatra

    February 25, 2018

    25-in Ramu mask from PNG

    October 8, 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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