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  • Unknown

    A real puzzler

    July 21, 2015 / 3 Comments

    Q:  This mask was a gift from someone who bought it on E-bay. The seller had no information on the origin. Made of light weight wood and shows some repair work along with small nails around the brows and mouth area. some of the wooden teeth look not to be original. It measures 8 x 8 x 8 inches at widest points.  Luis, 811 A:  Occasionally we get what truly can be called a Mystery Mask. I have never seen one that looks like this.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Decor items vs. artifacts

    November 23, 2017

    Very puzzling

    May 7, 2016

    Hard to identify or just tourist

    February 10, 2017
  • Africa

    Unusual African mask

    July 19, 2015 / 2 Comments

    Q:  I bought this mask from the German eBay last year for 15 euros. No info was provided and I have yet to find out anything about it. I would guess African and Ivory Coast. The backside does seem somewhat polished on the contact points. Thanks for any info in advance, you are a gent.  Jim, 810 A:  If I had to pick an area of Africa where it could come from it would be the northern DRC, formerly the Belgium Congo.

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    Bob Ibold

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    3 African Helmet Masks

    August 17, 2020

    Suku helmet mask from Congo

    October 20, 2020

    The spectacular hawk/butterfly mask

    January 2, 2016
  • East Asia

    Chinese theater mask

    July 18, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  I bought at a flee market.The material is carved wood, lacquered, and about 20 cm high.  Enrico, 809 A: This is a mask for the Chen He theater of the Hu Nan district in China.  In the Ming dynasty, immigrants from Jiang Xi settled in the then barren land along the river of Chen He. 

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    Bob Ibold

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    The Dayak people’s favorite

    June 11, 2014

    Older Hanhoe mask from Korea

    November 21, 2016

    Protective masks are intimidating

    January 8, 2016
  • Guatemala

    Well known Guatemalan mask

    July 18, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  I inherited this mask from my grandfather who was an art dealer and collector.  He collected African masks, but I doubt this is one.  He was born in Canada in the late 19th century, but came to settle in Riverside California.  When he married, he and his family lived in Beverly Hills where he had a gallery.  He constantly flew back and forth to Paris collecting and selling lithographs and anything Picasso.  I have no idea where he acquired this mask and how he came to give it me…but I’ve kept it all these years and am curious of its origin.  Is it Guatemalian?  808 A: It is Guatemalan,…

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    Bob Ibold

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    Old cowboy mask from Guatemala

    April 6, 2019

    Patzcar mask from central Guatemala

    May 21, 2020

    Another great Mystery Mask

    September 16, 2015
  • Native America

    Bird masks from different cultures

    July 17, 2015 / 1 Comment

    A friend sent me the following story. The two images are of the sea hawk, an impressive predator from our north west coast. One was created by an Indian carver who lived there about 200 years ago, and the other was designed recently by a Seattle artist. Does this comparison suggest anything? It tells me that folk art is always evolving. What do you think? Seattle, WA– The mask that inspired the original Seahawks logo will be on display at the Burke Museum starting this Saturday. Historians trace it back to the Kwakwaka’wakw people of Vancouver Island.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Cherokee booger mask

    December 15, 2016

    Tsimshian cedar mask from NWC

    February 23, 2018

    Mississippian bone gorget

    December 13, 2016
  • India & Himalayas

    Primitive mask from the Himalayas

    July 16, 2015 / 1 Comment

    Q:  I picked up this mask recently from an expat in Thailand. He bought it from the Chitwan region in Nepal.  He said it is a reverse shaman mask. I believe the beard and eyebrows to be yak hair. It also has 2 yak teething measures L22cm x W12cm. Could you tell me anything about this?  Dan, 806 A:  This is easy to recognize as primitive folk art from Nepal.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Beautiful mask from Bhutan

    June 12, 2014

    A piece of primitive Himalayan art

    June 22, 2014

    Sri Lankan mystery demon

    February 21, 2017
  • East Asia

    Unused Shishi mask from Japan, circa 1960

    July 12, 2015 / No Comments

    Q: The head alone is 7” wide; with the ears included, it’s 14” across. The ears are removable. I’m pretty sure the material is a lightweight wood. My grandmother probably bought this on trips during the 1950’s or 1960’s. She also collected Satsuma ceramics, of which I have a few pieces. I’ve attached photos of the box it came in. Frank, 805 A: It always comes with a moveable jaw. Though this one is about 75 years old it is in brand-new condition. The Japanese love to give masks as a gift.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Old mask from India or Thailand?

    November 12, 2018

    Old Noh theater mask

    January 3, 2018

    Tribal masks of Vietnam

    October 25, 2020
  • East Asia

    Morione mask from the Philippines

    July 7, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  I purchased this mask at an estate sale about 5 years ago. I like that it is so realistic. It even had eyelashes. I think it may be Mexican and there appears to be some staining on the inside forehead, cheeks and chin. It is about 7 inches tall and 6 inches across. Thanks for any information you can give me.  Tom, 804 A:  It looks Mexican but is actually from the Philippine Islands. The eye holes and the rear give it away.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Chinese theater mask

    July 18, 2015

    Japanese Iki-Ningyo mask

    December 8, 2016

    Chinese Nuo Opera mask

    April 24, 2020
  • Africa

    Nice West African mask

    July 6, 2015 / 4 Comments

    Q:  The raffia material seems authentically darkened by use; there are stains of sweat around the inner side and at the chin; it does not smell of any varnish or recent burning; the patina is even but not too even; the cloth hood at the back fell off some time ago, and was clearly covered with some light blue material; the forehead was covered with blue color stains, too, but was worn away; the dirt on the ‘hair’ seems truly old; the bird on the head has a hole onto which something was attached at some time; the raffia is attached by very corroded nails which do not seem to…

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    Bob Ibold

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    Kota Reliquary Figure

    August 30, 2015

    Some African masks are scary

    July 14, 2014

    Ogoni mask with hinged jaw

    June 19, 2019
  • Oceania

    Carved wood lion mask from Asia

    July 6, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  The mask I am sending pictures of is something I picked up in Bali a few weeks ago while on vacation. What do you think? It looks like it may have been used and had been hung for quite a while. By the way, I live and teach in Vientiane Laos and picked up a mask a few years ago at an expat bazaar. What should I be looking for in Laos and northern Thailand?  Lance, 802 A:  I have seen masks like this before but need some help in identifying the place of origin.

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    Bob Ibold

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    From the remote areas of Indonesia

    August 23, 2013

    Masks from Fiji

    April 6, 2018

    Old, worn primitive mask

    November 29, 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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