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  • India & Himalayas

    Mask from somewhere in India

    September 10, 2015 / No Comments

    Q: This mask looks familiar, but I can’t quite place it. It definitely seems Himalayan. Is it maybe a Monpa mask from Tibet? I’d love to get your opinion. Aaron, 831 A: I don’t think it is Himalayan. Perhaps a little further south in India, maybe all the way to Sri Lanka. I would be glad to put it on the Mystery Mask blog, especially if you would send a little more info. Then Aaron writes: I don’t think it’s Sri Lankan.

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    Troy

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    Mongolian Buddhist mask

    August 27, 2018

    Unusual Sri Lankan mask

    January 2, 2016

    7 authentic masks from India

    May 9, 2017
  • Native America

    A pair of mystery masks

    September 8, 2015 / 7 Comments

    Q: We ended up with two masks we could not identify. Could you help us out please. Thanks so much, Norb (Visitors should know that Norb is constantly visiting estate auctions where he always wins the best items for a reasonable price. You can visit his store at www.estateauctionsinc.com 830 A: I can’t remember ever seeing masks like these two. Obviously, they are from the same culture and time period. I suspect they were used in culture, perhaps a long time ago. If I had to make a guess, I’d say they’re both from Alaska. If that turns out to be true, they would be of great interest to serious…

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    Troy

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    Authentic Tlingit ceremonial mask

    July 3, 2015

    Could be colder in Alaska

    February 13, 2016

    This will be a tough one

    November 22, 2013
  • Europe

    Traditional folk art from the Alps

    September 8, 2015 / 3 Comments

    Q: The mask in the photos was purchased at an auction. The husband and wife were both university professors – she taught art and he taught history. They had many South American and American Southwest items. They also had a lot of older Chinese and Japan pieces. We purchased a Thai mask, but this one was intriguing. There was no provenance as there was no family left to validate where this mask was from. The mask measures (measuring from the back side) 9.5″ tall and 7.25″ wide. This does not include the trailing mustache.

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    Troy

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    European Theater Mask

    July 30, 2021

    Masks we don’t see often

    September 11, 2018

    Masquerade in Switzerland and Germany

    February 9, 2017
  • Africa

    It reminds us of the Congo

    September 6, 2015 / No Comments

    Q: Hi Bob, I found this small mask at an estate sale this weekend. It is made of carved wood and measures 8″ in length, 4.5″ in width and 3″ in depth. The owner described it as a “Wisdom mask from the Congo”. Any further information would be much appreciated. Thanks, Simon, 828 A: Yes, this mask looks like it came from the Congo region. Perhaps it is a “wisdom mask.” But I don’t think we can attribute it to any particular culture or think of it as a true example of

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    Troy

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    Ogbodo elephant mask from West Africa

    June 17, 2019

    Mask from Nigeria, not the Congo

    July 12, 2014

    A famous women’s society mask

    October 3, 2015
  • Mexico

    More info on masks

    August 30, 2015 / No Comments

    Here is a mask of St. Thomas that is from Xochiatipan, Hidalgo, Mexico. On 8/28 you saw a skull mask from Guerrero, Mexico, a Devil from nearby Michoacan, a Guerrero Jaguar, and a whore from Veracruz. If you want to know more about Mexican masks just go to the column on the right and click on “Mexico.” You’ll see 41 recently posted blogs about masks from that same fascinating country.

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    Troy

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    Attack of the powderpost beetles

    July 28, 2016

    Strange Mexican mask

    June 16, 2016

    Famous old Mexican tourist mask

    September 18, 2020
  • Mexico

    Great mask show in Lancaster, PA

    August 30, 2015 / No Comments

    Masks of Mexico will be on view Sept. 12 – Nov. 8, 2015, at the Lancaster Museum of Art in downtown Lancaster, PA. Here is the museum’s description of the show. This exhibit focuses on the masks that are used in the many rituals and celebrations performed in the cities and small rural villages throughout  Mexico’s various states.  The majority of states with traditions of using masks are represented in this exhibit through more than 200 masks. Grouping all these works together reveal the various forms, styles and colors that Mexican carvers employ.  The masks are made from carved wood, papier-mache, leather, cloth, ceramic, metal and other materials and display…

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    Troy

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    Mexican black Devil mask

    April 6, 2020

    Routine Mexican Devil

    November 12, 2014

    Mexican decoratives can fool you

    June 16, 2014
  • Misc

    Revealing the Trauma of War

    August 30, 2015 / No Comments

    “Brain injuries caused by blast events change soldiers in ways many can’t articulate. Some use art therapy, creating painted masks to express how they feel. Brain trauma from blast force is the signature injury of the Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns, afflicting hundreds of thousands of U.S. combat personnel. Although unseen, the damage strikes deeply into a soldier’s mind and psyche.” This is how a recent article in National Geographic begins. It has lots of pictures of masks made by the recovering soldiers. You can see the whole article by going to http://www.nationalgeographic.com/healing-soldiers/

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    Troy

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    Rare animal mask from Panama

    December 23, 2019

    Another mask I need help with

    June 25, 2019

    Masks as art

    April 26, 2020
  • Africa

    Kota Reliquary Figure

    August 30, 2015 / No Comments

    This is a Janus reliquary guardian figure from the Gabonese Republic of West Africa. It would have been used by the Kota people in the mid-19th century. It is actually a piece of sculpture, but people who collect African masks always love them. It is made of wood, copper, brass, iron, cowrie shell and measures 23 × 12 × 5 in. This is a promised gift to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art is from Terry and Lionel Bell in honor of the museum’s 50th anniversary.

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    Bob Ibold

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    West African mystery mask

    August 6, 2016

    Bedu mask from Ivory Coast

    April 13, 2019

    Another clay piece, but not a mask

    December 19, 2017
  • Unknown

    Decorative or authentic

    August 30, 2015 / 4 Comments

    Q:  Here again I submit a mask that I have not been able to identify. Made of light weight, balsa like, wood. It measures 7.7″ in height x 7″ in width and 3″ in depth. I’ll be grateful for any input on the origin of this mask.  Louis, 823 A:  The Mask Man is stumped again. I just can’t remember where I might have seen something like this before. The front is fresh and may have been repainted. The rear could be showing real usage.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Mystery Monkey mask

    November 22, 2020

    The Mask Man is stumped again.

    December 8, 2013

    Yao shaman’s mask

    August 3, 2018
  • East Asia

    Thai decorative mask

    August 30, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  Can you tell me something about this mask? Its 25 cm high and light. And made of wood.  Brian, 822 A:  Here is another example of a mask that would never be used in the culture.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Giant Shinshu mask from Japan

    October 21, 2016

    Japanese Namahage mask

    March 16, 2019

    A Thai hermit mask rarely seen

    February 11, 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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