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  • Africa

    Warlike Guere/We mask

    May 17, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  Here’s a wooden mask that my father acquired in Ivory Coast somewhere around 1975. It’s probably from the Guiglo region, in the southwest of the country. He bought it from someone there, and I’m very curious about its originality and possibly if you know anything more about its function or meaning. As a frequent visitor of your website and mask enthusiast/collector I was hoping you might be able to tell me something more about it!   Sven, 781 A: The Guere people (also called the We) are the dominant ethnic group in that area.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Turtle shell Bwami mask from Africa

    October 5, 2020

    Kuba bwoom mask

    December 17, 2015

    Ogoni masks from Nigeria

    July 20, 2018
  • Mexico

    Why Mexican masks are so much fun

    May 17, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  I am a bit embarrassed to say it, but I keep wavering on whether this mask is Guatemalan or Mexican. Thoughts? What about it strikes you as the most obvious indicator of one vs the other? (I then asked about the aluminum foil.) At first glance, I was thinking it was more than likely HVAC duct tape. Although the yellow portions make me re-think that as I cant imagine a yellow duct tape being produced for that purpose.  Nate, 780 A:  (A friend said this.)  It would appear to be a Diablo mask from the Mexican state of Guerrero.

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    Bob Ibold

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    What kind of mask is this?

    September 6, 2018

    Mexican decoratives can be fun

    October 30, 2013

    The dreaded Jaguar

    May 23, 2014
  • India & Himalayas

    Masks from India or the Himalayas

    May 16, 2015 / 3 Comments

    Q:  I am currently backpacking through India, and in Jaisalmer I came across a curiosity shop of sorts. I purchased the two masks pictured. One looks almost identical to what you identify as a Nepalese monkey mask. My question is about the cow-looking one. I found a great pile of dusty and dirt-covered animal and humanoid masks that appeared related (see photo I took in the shop). Initially the shopkeeper told me they were used in a village play over 100 years ago and then the next day his brother said they were hung on houses as evil eyes. Obviously I can’t trust either story and was hoping you could…

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    Bob Ibold

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    Multiple Mahakalas for decor

    September 21, 2016

    Old mask from Himachal, India

    May 6, 2020

    Indian mystery mask

    June 22, 2017
  • East Asia

    Sculpture from the SW Pacific

    May 14, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  My husband acquired this mask from an antiques dealer and was told that it had been purchased in NYC the 70’s. We believe it is from Indonesia. We were hoping you could give us some more information.  Alicia, 778 A:  This piece of art is about 30 inches tall, so it is made for decorating a home. I think it is quite handsome, but is not a real mask.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Morione mask from the Philippines

    July 7, 2015

    What makes a mask desireable?

    October 4, 2013

    Chinese Nuo mask from Hunan

    April 8, 2019
  • Native America

    Portrait mask from NWC Canada

    May 13, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  I got this mask at a local antique gun show. It is made of cedar and is nine and a half inches tall. I believe it might be authentic northwest coast Indian. Do you think it is real, or a copy from the US? If you have the time to look at this, thanks very much.  Cyril, 777 A: Of course I have the time. It is a special pleasure for me when readers find a mask that might be worth a lot to collectors.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Eskimo small stone mask

    January 11, 2019

    Big NWC Indian mask

    October 3, 2018

    Authentic Tlingit ceremonial mask

    July 3, 2015
  • East Asia

    Japanese Noh demon

    May 12, 2015 / 5 Comments

    Q:  A friend of mine found and purchased this mask at a yard sale but asked if i wanted it rather than her trying to donate it to a second hand store where it would likely have been discarded for being too “evil” for the local central NY population  Is it Japanese or something else? It appears to be wood with a thin veneer of plaster, one eye is intact but the second was damaged before my friend purchased it.  I have no idea how old it really is. There are worn leather straps inside for wearing it, and only one mark that appears to be a stamp on the…

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    Bob Ibold

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    One of the great masks of the world

    November 24, 2013

    Maiden mask from Korea

    January 9, 2019

    It looks authentic to me

    August 15, 2013
  • Bali & Java

    Cakil is one of the bad guys

    May 9, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  Hey! I have a question if you or anyone else have any information about this mask. It hangs on a wall at home here in Sweden, but I have no clue about it other then I believe it’s from Malaysia.  Varg, 775 A:  Let’s go further south to Java, Indonesia.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Garuda mask from Bali

    May 23, 2016

    Mahakala: The Multifaceted Protector Deity in Art and Ritual

    May 2, 2024

    Early Balinese mask

    July 25, 2015
  • India & Himalayas

    India has important traditions of masquerade

    May 9, 2015 / 1 Comment

    I thought you might enjoy seeing this Durga mask from West Bengal, India. It is15 inches tall and made of heavy papier-mâché. Durga is considered a primary deity in Hinduism and one of the greatest goddesses. Durga Puja is the biggest festival in much of Northeast India. Made for a professional Chhau dancer, this perfect piece, with its carefully molded crown, has been made of a molded fiber and plaster material that is quite strong, and then painted. This is a feature photo in the new reference book, Masks of the World, by yours truly. It should be available in about a month.  Bob, 774

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    Bob Ibold

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    Contempororary Kali masks from India

    June 4, 2020

    Mask from somewhere in India

    September 10, 2015

    Beautiful mask from Bhutan

    June 12, 2014
  • East Asia

    Bone mask or not?

    May 3, 2015 / 6 Comments

    Q:  I recently purchased this mask.  I believed it is carved from bone, possibly fossilized.  Sutures can be seen in the underside of the mask.  I do not know the type of bone or from what animal. Neither do I know its origin.  It measures 7.5″ long and 5.5″ wide. Feel free to ask any additional questions. Thanks for any info you are able to give me.  Herbert, 773 A:  Bones are an unusual medium for masks.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Wuhan has masks also

    June 9, 2020

    Asian mask for decor or memories

    September 14, 2015

    Hannya, the she-devil

    March 14, 2016
  • India & Himalayas

    A mystery animal

    April 30, 2015 / 3 Comments

    Q:  I picked up this mask at a yard sale.  To me it looks very old.  Wondering if you knew what kind of mask this was or anything about it.  Its made of wood you can see its hand carved.  It’s approximately 9.5 inches tall and 4.5 inches wide.  Heather, 771 A:  Thanks for sharing your recent find which I think resembles a dog or some other animal.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Photo of Ganesha in use

    June 30, 2020

    Valuable Sri Lankan mask

    August 13, 2016

    Unusual Sri Lankan mask

    January 2, 2016
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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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