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  • Mexico

    Mexican decorative

    August 30, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  I only have the front view now.  The mask is in my air conditioned storage unit.  If you are interested, I can certainly take the side and rear.  I am interested in your opinion.  Additionally, what do you charge for appraisal?  The mask is hand-carved wood.  Carolyn, 821 A:  Personally, I enjoy masks like this. It can be described as a Mexican decorative probably made in the state of Guerrero.

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    Bob Ibold

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    The famous Tigre battle helmet

    September 18, 2015

    Blockbuster mask from Mexico

    March 1, 2016

    Authentic Mexican mask

    May 16, 2016
  • Misc

    Steampunk mask by Tom Banwell

    August 30, 2015 / No Comments

    The Mystery Mask blog’s history is mostly about traditional masks from various ethnic groups around the world. This one is much different. Steampunk is a modern movement that gets some of its inspiration from the writings of Jules Verne and H. G. Wells. It celebrates a sci-fi fantasy of a steam-powered age. There are many other kinds of masks for Halloween, parties, celebrations, parades, decorating or just collecting. There are also masks that cover the face for other reasons. Some protect us from possible injury or sickness and others hide the wearer from recognition. These can be quite old or come from unusual places, others are just part of modern-day…

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    Bob Ibold

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    Masks as art

    January 3, 2015

    The famous Guy Fawkes mask

    August 4, 2017

    Prehistoric clay masks

    May 6, 2018
  • Unknown

    Yet another Mystery Mask

    August 3, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  I picked this mask up at an estate sale, but they could not tell me anything about it. It’s 13″ tall, 8.5″ at it’s widest and about 4.5″ thick. Can you help me figure out where it might be from?  Rick, 819 A:  This is another Mystery Mask the Mask Man can’t identify. Bulging eyes and big teeth rendered in a rough and primitive style. Most likely it comes from an area where the tourists are intrigued by “old tribal masks.”

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    Bob Ibold

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    Old, used Urhobo mask, Nigeria

    July 20, 2018

    Popular tourist mask from somewhere

    December 13, 2018

    The Mask Man is stumped again.

    December 8, 2013
  • Africa

    Another mystery mask from West Africa

    August 1, 2015 / 1 Comment

    Q:  I have this mask I recently purchased.  All I know is the original owner got it in South Africa in the 1980s. It is about 9 inches tall. Any help would be great.  David, 818 A:  Sorry, but I can’t help you much other than to say it has the characteristics of several cultures from different parts of West Africa. Though helmet style in construction, it is too small to have been made for actual use. Probably it was intended for sale as a souvenir.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Vuvi mask from northern Gabon

    July 24, 2018

    3 African crest masks

    August 16, 2020

    Bobo mask from Burkina Faso

    November 27, 2018
  • Africa

    A version of the Senufo Kpelie mask

    July 31, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  This mask belongs to a doctor friend who is suffering from dementia. He worked in Cameroon in the 1970s so the mask may come from that area. Unfortunately he can no longer tell me where he got it. Can you help?  Dr. G., 817 A:  Called a Kpelie, these easy to recognize masks are a creation of the Senufo people who inhabit northern Ivory Coast.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Small mask from Congo

    October 28, 2016

    Hard to recognize East African

    September 7, 2014

    Lele mask from the Congo

    September 10, 2017
  • Bali & Java

    Another old mask from Bali

    July 29, 2015 / No Comments

    I have an antique Javanese mask that I purchased from Japan of all places. Its got exactly this same red pigment paint, and that has flaked in a few places to reveal a lighter pigment of the same color below. See the link to it below. The one I am referencing is the “urban” version. Everything about mine, the age/insect activity,dryness of the wood, patina, cracking in the paint, style etc, all points to this being ca 1900-1930 in my opinion. I suspect the latest in your blog fits squarely into that same time period. Hope all is well. Book looks like it has come along!  Nate, 816 http://www.ebay.com/itm/181637062949?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

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    Bob Ibold

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    Sometimes repairs are a good idea

    December 30, 2015

    Another unusual Balinese mask

    February 21, 2018

    Cakil is one of the bad guys

    May 9, 2015
  • Bali & Java

    Early Balinese mask

    July 25, 2015 / No Comments

    This is a mask I acquired from Germany about 40 years ago. I was told it was from Bali, but I wouldn’t rule out other parts of Indonesia. It is 13 inches tall and has been repainted several times. It probably represents a high-ranking character in one of the dance dramas. Since it could have been in a German collection for a long while, it could be quite old. It will be pictured in the new reference book we are about to publish. Have you ever seen a Balinese mask this old?  Bob, 815

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    Bob Ibold

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    This mask was purchased in 1989 in Bali

    July 17, 2013

    That old and used look

    April 5, 2016

    Javanese traditional dance mask

    January 9, 2017
  • Africa

    Guro Mamiwata mask

    July 23, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  Thank you for the help on the Dan mask yesterday. I told my friend about your website and the info you provided, and that it was a great help. He gave me this cool snake mask to figure out. Have you ever seen one like this? It measures 13″ x 2 1/2″ x 7″ and is carved wood.  Thad’s friend, 814 A:  I’m delighted to present this mask on the blog because it proves how creative African carvers can be. A mask with matching snakes crawling out of each nostril, and with great sculptural artistry, is seldom seen.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Reproductions of African masks can be collectible

    September 23, 2018

    Kwere mask from Tanzania

    September 1, 2020

    Unusual mask from the Congo

    October 7, 2013
  • Africa

    Dan Deangle masks are very popular

    July 22, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  I got this mask from an antique dealer who told me it was from the Ivory Coast but I can’t find too may with the beard. 11″ tall x 7″ wide.  Wood has smooth finish on the front and unfinished back.  12 holes in the back. Leather patches under the eyes. Any help would be great. Thad, 813 A: There are regional variations among the masks of the Dan people who live in the western part of Ivory Coast and eastern Liberia, but they are generally characterized by a concave face, a pointed chin, a protruding mouth, an upturned nose and a high-domed forehead.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Sande Society mask for women only

    July 16, 2019

    Congo style mask

    February 20, 2016

    Tourist junk can be desirable

    December 30, 2013
  • Mexico

    Black-faced mask from Mexico

    July 21, 2015 / 1 Comment

    Q:  I am a dealer and a good friend and client Dennis Aigner of Laguna Beach, CA suggested I run this by you.  Obtained mostly private estate where most of the material came from Canada. Trying to place this. Any help would be appreciated.  Matt, 812 A:  Several characters in various Mexican dances, including Negros, Moors and Fishermen, have faces that are usually painted black.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Something creepy

    March 6, 2014

    Mexican decoratives can fool you

    June 16, 2014

    Good reading

    August 15, 2014
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Quiz - Test Your Mask Knowledge

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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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