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  • Bali & Java

    Comedy character from Java

    November 3, 2015 / No Comments

    Q: “I will always answer your email.” Quote from you, Bob. Well, I haven’t heard word one from you. I first submitted my mask about a year ago, I think. When I hadn’t heard anything for several months and reviewed your site and did not see it, I resubmitted my photos. Still no word. I’m still very interested in any information you might give me. Let me try this again. Joanne, 853 A: Joanne, thank you for being so patient with me. I hope I can deserve it.

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    Troy

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    Little Rangda mask

    December 7, 2016

    Javanese traditional dance mask

    October 19, 2017

    Good old or bad old?

    December 18, 2014
  • Caribbean

    Diablico Sucio carnival mask

    November 1, 2015 / No Comments

    Q: This is a very large mask, made from paper. It has horse teeth and screens where the eye holes are. I think it is Mexican, but do not know where in Mexico it was made. I would like to find out more information about this mask. I do not remember where I bought it. I usually haunt thrift shops and flea markets. Mickey, 852

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    Troy

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    Junkanoo mask from the Bahamas

    July 23, 2018

    Elaborate Dominican masks

    September 11, 2016

    Masks of the World Presents: The Authentic Boruca Collection!

    September 22, 2023
  • 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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    West African 3-faced helmet mask

    June 14, 2019

    Portrait of a white man

    November 28, 2016

    Mask from the Congo

    April 17, 2015
  • 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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    David Norden Buy African Antiques

    November 3, 2017

    Nice West African mask

    July 6, 2015

    Batshioko mask from Zambia

    December 8, 2019
  • 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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    Special Mahakala mask from Himalayas

    April 11, 2018

    Colorful Mahakala from the Himalayas

    June 30, 2016

    Just two more Indian masks

    September 17, 2019
  • 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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    Not sure it is a Hanuman mask

    July 15, 2013

    Chhau masks are used by millions

    July 15, 2020

    India Monkey Mask

    August 20, 2021
  • 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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    Small copy of ancient Japanese mask

    August 17, 2018

    Japanese Namahage mask

    March 16, 2019

    3 Japanese masks new to me

    August 4, 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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    West African mystery mask

    August 6, 2016

    Kpelie mask, Senufo people, Ivory Coast

    January 23, 2017
    restored Epa mask

    It looks like it’s just been created

    October 18, 2013
  • 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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    Dan Deangle masks are very popular

    July 22, 2015

    Igbo mask

    September 5, 2016

    Excellent Gelede mask from Nigeria

    July 7, 2016
  • 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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    10 Mexican Must Haves

    January 19, 2016

    Mexican mystery mask

    March 24, 2016

    Unusual Mexican Tigre Mask

    June 3, 2016
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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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