• Home
  • Discover & Learn
  • Ask Us About Your Mask
  • About
  • Contact
Masks of the World

  • Home
  • Blog Home
  • Discover & Learn
  • Ask Us About Your Mask
  • Masks
  • Blog About
  • Home
  • Blog Home
  • Discover & Learn
  • Ask Us About Your Mask
  • Masks
  • Blog About
  • Guatemala

    Nicely sculpted Guatemalan mask

    July 4, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:   I have two masks I am interested in selling. These masks were purchased at an estate auction of a diplomat who lived in Alexandria, VA.  I bought them at an antiques shop.  The seller thinks they might be from Mexico, but he is uncertain.  I typically “pick” items for resale on ebay.  I would be interested in purchasing an appraisal for the masks, or I might be interested in selling them to you if you were interested.  Not sure of the best route to take.  Mike, 800 A:  As you know, submitting more than one mask is discouraged on the Mystery Mask blog. So are requests for monetary value.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Typical Guatemalan mask

    March 7, 2016

    The evolution of masquerade in Guatemala

    January 3, 2017

    The Aberdeenshire Find: A Guatemalan Gem in the UK!

    August 10, 2023
  • Native America

    Authentic Tlingit ceremonial mask

    July 3, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  I purchased this mask from an online website that had it listed as an “antique unknown mask”. Upon first glance, I thought that the piece may be a newer Indonesian reproduction of a northwest coast mask, but after closer inspection, it appears that the mask has a considerable amount of age and wear consistent with use. I would just like to know whether this is an authentic Native American mask or not. Also, the shape of the eyes look similar to the almond shape that I see on Yupik masks, however the lip and brown form of the mask is consistent with northwest coast style.  Trent, 800 A:  You…

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    2 masks from Kings Island

    July 17, 2020

    Carved wood Arctic mask

    September 27, 2016

    Lawyers trying to stop another Hopi mask auction. Again.

    December 3, 2013
  • Mexico

    Old Devil masks for tourists

    July 1, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  These masks always hung on my grandfather’s office wall. I have had them hanging  or boxed since I got them around 1985. I thought i was told they were Mexican and that my grandparents bought them there, but after looking at your website I wonder about them being unpainted. The one with numbers looks like auction lot notes. I have photos of back, front sides and the close ups of the ones with writing. I am so curious!  Elizabeth, 799 A:  I am partial to Mexican masks, so your collection of five old Devil masks from Patzcuaro, Michoacan, excited me.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Mystery mask from Oaxaca

    August 22, 2020

    Beware of barking dog

    May 21, 2014

    Mexican clay mask? Decorative or not?

    December 15, 2017
  • Africa

    West African mask from somewhere

    June 30, 2015 / 4 Comments

    Q:  I recently purchased this wooden mast at auction because I found it quite striking. The mask is 24″ tall and was described as an old Songye Congo carved wooden Kifwebe mask with an unusual animal crest.  I would greatly appreciate your opinion of the mask and it’s description.  Jason, 798 A:  It is not a Songye Kifwebe mask. Nor does it resemble the work done by any of the various tribes occupying the Congo basin. The best I can tell you is that it probably was made somewhere in West Africa. It looks old and used, but almost all of the African masks we see on the market have…

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    7th Chewa Mask blog

    November 16, 2020

    Warlike Guere/We mask

    May 17, 2015

    New fake of Dan bird mask

    July 5, 2020
  • Guatemala

    Classic Guatemalan mask

    June 27, 2015 / 1 Comment

    Most traditional masks from this little Central American country have four eye holes– two with glass eyeballs staring out of them, and the other two for the dancer to look out of. These masks also appear to have been carved by artists trained in the academic style of the Spanish Renaissance. The folk art of Guatemala’s indigenous people dates back hundreds of years to the conquest and beyond. Some of their dances are rooted in traditions brought from Spanish religious celebrations. Then there are those of Mayan tradition where animal masks are often used in dances like “Toritos” (the Little Bulls), or “El Venado” (the Deer).

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Beat-up Guatemalan still here

    March 22, 2014

    Discovering Hidden Treasures: A Journey into the Heart of Guatemalan Mask Traditions

    July 1, 2024

    Rare Guatemalan mask

    June 14, 2018
  • Africa

    African mask with moving mouth

    June 24, 2015 / 2 Comments

    Q:  I bought this mask on a car boot sale simply because I liked it and found it very interesting. I have tried to find out a bit about it with not much luck. Could this be an African maiden mask?  I would appreciate any information you can give me. Jude, 796 A:  This is an Elu mask with hinged jaw from the Ogoni people of southern Nigeria, Africa’s most populated country.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    African iron mask

    February 25, 2017

    Kuba Bwoom mask from the DRC

    May 19, 2018

    Small mask from Congo

    October 28, 2016
  • South America

    Ticuna Indian ceremonial mask

    June 21, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  Around 35 years ago, I used to live in San Francisco.  I was very friendly with the senior management at Macy’s Department Stores.  I had their top designer come out to my house to determine decorations….He told me that Macy’s SF had a South American exhibit in their downtown location…part of the exhibit were these masks from a museum in Ecuador…when the exhibit was over, the museum would not pay to have much of the exhibit returned, which included these masks.  Not knowing what to do with them, their designer decided to use them in my house for a part of the fee they charged me…he told me they…

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Tikuna Animal Mask

    June 21, 2021

    Pre-Columbian masks & statues

    November 26, 2019

    3 more Tukuma masks from Amazon

    November 7, 2019
  • Bali & Java

    Classic Javanese dance mask

    June 21, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  We got these at a garage sale. I presume they’re Indonesian – Javanese? I have cheekily submitted the two, because they’re so much a pair. They are too small to be actual costume masks I think. Unless worn by children. Any thoughts?  Jessica, 795 A: Javanese dance masks sometimes look small to American and European collectors because we tend to be larger than the Indonesians. I don’t think it is for children. This particular mask could be Raja Putri or some other high ranking member of the court in the classic

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Old half-mask from Bali

    December 5, 2014

    Scary animal mask from rural Indonesia

    August 29, 2013

    Cheap Balinese tourist mask from 1960’s

    February 25, 2017
  • Mexico

    Wolf man mask from Mexico

    June 15, 2015 / 2 Comments

    Q:  We found this mask in an old abandoned house in the Utah desert.  Do you have any idea what it is or how old it might be? We don’t collect masks but like looking for cool things.  James, 793 A:  Shiny, sheet-metal masks are very popular in Taxco, Guerrero where thousands of tourists come every day for decor items, sliver and jewelry.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Old, used Mexican mask

    March 30, 2017

    Old Bull Mask from Mexico

    April 28, 2016

    Strange Mexican mask

    June 16, 2016
  • Mexico

    Big mask with little snakes

    June 11, 2015 / 3 Comments

    Q:  I cannot remember if I sent you the picture of this huge, Mexican (I think) mask. Attached is a photo with me. It has several holes on each side that could hold it to a man’s head.  Jim, 792 A:  This “mask” is very big, as everyone can tell by looking at you trying to hold it. Frankly, I have never heard of Mexican’s wearing masks this large at a festival. And there are no eye holes. I think it might have been ordered by a shop keeper or restaurant owner who wanted to attract tourists with an attention-getting carving to hang on the wall.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Day of the Dead masks from Mexico

    October 20, 2017

    Authentic gallery masks

    August 9, 2017

    Unique Mexican Devil Mask

    February 24, 2017
106107108109110


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.

Archives

Masks of the World - 2025 ©