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  • Mexico

    Diablo with lots of character

    September 24, 2015 / 3 Comments

    Q: Any idea what part of Mexico this Diablo comes from? I got if off eBay where I was told it had been collected in the 1960s or earlier and had been in a collection in Holland ever since. It’s made of hard wood with boar tusks for teeth. Mark, 841 A: Almost anyone will get a kick out of this oddly shaped Devil mask from Mexico. Certainly I do! But exactly where in Mexico was it made and what is it for. To the latter you could say a dance that characterizes Satan. But this delightful character could have been made strictly to sell to tourist and collectors.

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    Popular Mexican armadillo mask

    January 6, 2017

    Day of the Dead masks from Mexico

    October 20, 2017

    A swinger from South of the border

    September 24, 2016
  • Mexico

    Typical, old Mexican mask

    September 22, 2015 / 3 Comments

    Q: Do you agree that this is a Mexican, rather than Guatemalan mask? Nate, 840 A: Of course, there are some masks from nearby Guatemala of similar design, but this design is so typical of many areas in Mexico. It portrays a light-skinned man with black eyebrows and mustache. The holes for seeing and attaching strings, plus the facial characteristics, are also typical.

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    Day of the Dead masks from Mexico

    October 20, 2017

    Old copper tourist mask

    July 4, 2016

    More info on masks

    August 30, 2015
  • South America,  Unknown

    Strange mask of natural materials

    September 22, 2015 / 1 Comment

    Q: I found it in a box at a garage sale in Naples, FL.. The lady said it was in her grandfathers garage with a bunch of other “junk”. I payed 5 dollars for it. The feathers feel real the face portion seem to be some type of pod that may have been closed at one point and then opened. The teeth seem real although they look more like animal teeth on the back it looks like a clay way molded so as when the feathers came through the front they would stick in the clay and stay in place when it dried.

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    Amazon Indian mask

    March 24, 2018

    Tukuna mask from NE Amazon region

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    Bolivian Devil Mask with Lizard

    March 7, 2017
  • South America,  Unknown

    Great folk art carving

    September 19, 2015 / 5 Comments

    Q: The heavy hardwood mask with a star on the forehead is, I was told, an older carnival mask from Trinidad & Tobago. It supposedly represents a policeman (hence the star). I’m not sure all this is accurate, but it does make some sense. I’ve never seen a mask quite like this one before. What do you think? Aaron, 838 A: You have a good eye for quality. I think this is an authentic mask, but like you, I’m not aware of carnival masks from Trinidad & Tobago looking anything like this.

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    Big time masquerade in Bolivia

    May 10, 2017

    Very old Diablo Umo

    November 13, 2014

    Part 1: Bolivia’s Hidden Treasure – The Mask Museum Experience

    November 6, 2024
  • Mexico

    The famous Tigre battle helmet

    September 18, 2015 / 2 Comments

    Q: We happened upon this mask in a yard sale. The tag on the strap says Tigre Guerrero. We know it is a ceremonial mask. What can you tell us about this mask? Where can we find out more? A: This is a famous style of Mexican mask that is only found in Zitlala, Guerrero. There, during the feast day of the Holy Cross all hell brakes loose when the young men from different neighborhoods put on jaguar suits (jaguars are called Tigres in Mexico), top them off with heavy-duty leather helmet masks like what you see here, arm themselves with a big stick and start beating each other up.

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    Diablo with lots of character

    September 24, 2015

    Rey del Moros from Veracruz

    August 1, 2017

    Leather mask from Mexico

    October 28, 2016
  • Africa

    West African mask with coins on her head

    September 18, 2015 / 1 Comment

    Q: I was given this mask as a birthday gift when I was a young teen. I have no info on it other than 9 coins embedded in rows of 3 on top of the head. The coins seem to be dated in the 1920’s and depict some sort of palm tree? Any help identifying and possible value would be appreciated, as I am 40 yrs old and have always wondered. Benny, 836 We know this mask was made in middle to late 20th century. I also see some resemblance to the work of the Ibo people in Nigeria and the Puno of Gabon. That’s a big chunk of West…

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    Beautiful Igbo Maiden

    June 18, 2016

    African tourist mask

    May 8, 2017

    Male version of Chi Wara headdress

    June 30, 2017
  • Guatemala

    Another great Mystery Mask

    September 16, 2015 / 10 Comments

    Q: At first glance, I found the front so over dramatized that I assumed it was a tourist piece. Then the cracking/aging paint got my attention that this thing has considerable age. And then finally, I was in shock to see both the amount of patina and craftsmanship of the reverse side.This thing clearly has been danced heavily. The craftsmanship on the back had me initially thinking Japan. However, the tear-drop eyes make me think Korean. This is not a style of an Oni or devil I’ve ever equated to Japan. Ever seen Korean Devils? Can you pin-point this? Nate, 837 A: I don’t where this is from. China, Korea,…

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  • Native America

    Koskimo wearing a Hami mask

    September 16, 2015 / 1 Comment

    A reader sent in this great picture of a Koskimo character wearing a full-body fur garment, oversize gloves and mask of Hami (‘dangerous thing’) during the Numhlim ceremony.This guy is a Kwakiutl Indian from somewhere in British Columbia. The photo was taken by Edward Curtis in 1914. Ceremonies and meetings of Northwest Coast Indians could be quite dramatic.

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    Inuit small stone mask

    February 15, 2016

    3 masks from Greenland

    June 17, 2017

    NWC raven mask, sort of

    May 29, 2015
  • East Asia

    Asian mask for decor or memories

    September 14, 2015 / No Comments

    Q: This mask was purchased from the estate of the daughter of a mask collector. It has his sticker. I was mot able to get his collection ledger. An African art dealer said it was not African. It is of ebony or a Dalbergia (Central American). I have never found anything that resembles it in my search. It has worn white chin whiskers. It was probably collected in the 1950’s. Kenneth, 833 A: Handsome tourist mask have been made in China and the Himalayas since the 19th century.

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    Noh masks can change expression

    February 15, 2018

    Especially colorful Hanhoe mask

    June 3, 2015

    Hannya the She Devil

    May 18, 2017
  • Mexico

    Old Huave mask from Oaxaca

    September 12, 2015 / 1 Comment

    Q: Just acquired this mask from a third party who travel to Oaxaca frequently. In one of the many trips, they purchased this mask. Seeking any information, confirmation (region) or opinions. The mask measures 7.5″ h 5.5″ w 4.5 d and is made of hard wood. There are some minor signs of termite damage. Louis, 832 A: The Huave people occupy a few small villages in Western Oaxaca close to the Pacific Coast of Mexico. They make a lot of unpainted wooden masks, often decorated with armadillo shell and bristles of animal hair.

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    Cobra Cavalera made by Lino Mora

    July 11, 2017

    Master carver of the Sierra de Puebla

    March 23, 2015

    One-eyed, black-skinned Moor from Mexico

    September 20, 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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