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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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    Mexican black Devil mask

    April 6, 2020

    Strange leather mask from Mexico

    November 13, 2015

    Mexican mystery mask

    March 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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    Old Mexican mask?

    July 27, 2016

    Azteca masks are amazing

    February 16, 2016

    Old, used Mexican mask

    March 30, 2017
  • 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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    Part 1: Bolivia’s Hidden Treasure – The Mask Museum Experience

    November 6, 2024

    Very old Diablo Umo

    November 13, 2014

    Kobeua Indian body mask from Amazon

    August 10, 2018
  • 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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    Amazon Indian spirit mask

    February 21, 2016

    Tukuma initiation mask from the Amazon

    May 30, 2017

    Modern Amazon Indian mask

    July 17, 2019
  • 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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    Cobra Cavalera made by Lino Mora

    July 11, 2017

    Mexican masks can be very real

    December 9, 2015

    Embark on a Mask-terful Journey: Oaxaca, the Ultimate Starting Point for Aspiring Mask Collectors!

    May 2, 2022
  • 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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    Small mask from Congo

    October 28, 2016

    Much larger Congo mask

    December 2, 2014

    Guro antelope mask

    May 12, 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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    Red devil from Guatemala

    March 30, 2019

    Repainted Guatemalan mask

    August 4, 2018

    Mask of Chief Humming Bird

    November 19, 2015
  • 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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    Iroquois corn husk mask

    May 9, 2016

    Mississippian bone gorget

    December 13, 2016

    Carved wood Arctic mask

    September 27, 2016
  • 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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    Timor has many styles

    October 24, 2014

    Maiden mask from Korea

    January 9, 2019

    Samurai metal face mask

    May 8, 2018
  • 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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    Great Mexican mask being auctioned

    May 6, 2016

    Old skull mask from Mexico

    May 13, 2016

    Mexican decorative

    August 30, 2015
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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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