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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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    Pre-Columbian Indian mask

    July 21, 2020

    Authentic Mexican masks, fakes & decoratives

    November 1, 2018

    Pilate mask from Guerrero

    October 6, 2020
  • 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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    Focus your collecting on something special

    June 28, 2020

    Ancient clay mask

    March 6, 2018

    Ancient Egyptian wood mask

    May 17, 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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    Here is a real mystery

    August 4, 2014

    Building a good collection is hard

    January 31, 2018

    Don’t worry about this “mask”

    February 19, 2018
  • 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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    Fabric Salampasu mask from DRC

    March 14, 2019

    Masks of the World book for $9.97

    July 4, 2016

    This African is still a mystery

    September 25, 2013
  • 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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    Senufo or otherwise

    May 6, 2014

    Cheap Liberian mask

    July 21, 2018

    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

    Java Monkey Mask

    July 13, 2021

    Primitive tribal masks from Java

    October 29, 2018
  • 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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    Did she get a good deal?

    September 21, 2018

    Another unusual Balinese mask

    February 21, 2018

    Javanese tourist mask

    February 16, 2018
  • 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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    African Influences in Modern Art

    August 24, 2020

    Portrait of a white man

    November 28, 2016

    A pretty girl all dressed up

    September 1, 2014
  • 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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    Lipiko mask from the Makonde

    June 3, 2015

    Guro Mamiwata mask

    July 23, 2015

    Much larger Congo mask

    December 2, 2014
  • 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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    Diablo with lots of character

    September 24, 2015

    Parachico mask from Southern Mexico

    April 7, 2018

    One of the great artists of Mexico

    January 23, 2016
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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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