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  • Guatemala

    Yellow Guatemalan mask

    April 7, 2015 / 2 Comments

    Q:  I wonder if you could tell me anything about this mask. I purchased it at auction in a small town near Ottawa, Canada. It was described as a Victorian Carnival Mask. Thanks for your time, Rod, 761 A:  The best I can do is tell you it is probably from Guatemala. I have no idea what the character is or what part of the country it comes from.

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    Bob Ibold

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    The Aberdeenshire Find: A Guatemalan Gem in the UK!

    August 10, 2023

    Smiling Gracejo mask from Guatemala

    April 2, 2020

    Bird mask with big bill

    December 14, 2015
  • Native America

    Iroquois whistler mask

    April 3, 2015 / 1 Comment

    Q:  I have attached 3 items and am interested in the name, age and what country each of them are from. Thank you.  John, 760 A:  This is a “Whistler” made in the style of the Iroquois False Face Society masks that have been used by Indians in the Northeastern part of America for many years. You can still buy new ones, as well as other styles, at many reservation tourist shops.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Navajo Mystery Mask… or?

    October 21, 2016

    Eskimo small stone mask

    January 11, 2019

    A pair of mystery masks

    September 8, 2015
  • Africa

    Toma Poro Society mask

    April 2, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  Bought with a lot of PNG material, but seems not to fit with them. 14 inches long. I’m mostly interested in masks from Oceania and Europe.  Kim, 759 A:  At first I did not recognize this mask, but I now realize it is a very simple version of the well-known masks used for boys participating in initiation rituals of the Poro Society throughout the Toma ethnic group located in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia.

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    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Okukwe mask, Galoa people, Gabon

    February 8, 2020

    Airport art from Africa

    May 26, 2016

    Pende African buffalo mask

    January 17, 2021
  • Mexico

    Master carver of the Sierra de Puebla

    March 23, 2015 / 3 Comments

    Q:  I got this mask in a public house located near Cuetzalan, Puebla, in which is common to see several masks hanging on the wall. This a Teodoro Tacuepian creation. Actually, i was at his workshop in Zacapoaxtla, trying to acquire some masks, but he only had 2 masks on sale, a Pilatos and negrito. The technique and the particular shape of the nose tell me it’s a recent creation. With age his technique has become more rough. Now he is almost 100 years old and still working.  Yusef, 758 A:  That’s our man. Teodoro Tacuepian Galvan was born in 1911 and did not start carving until late in life.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Old, used Mexican mask

    March 30, 2017

    Maranquilla mask for Carnaval

    March 9, 2018

    Old Bull Mask from Mexico

    April 28, 2016
  • East Asia

    Rare old Chinese Nuo mask

    March 19, 2015 / No Comments

    This mask from the Maonan people of Guangxi Province in Southeaster China is carved wood 10.5 inches high and is middle to late 20th century. There are many unique aspects to this portrayal of a senior military general in the Nuo theater. Some of the wood surface has been left unpainted and there is a carefully carved figure on the headdress. And look at those wide open eyes!  757

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    Bob Ibold

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    Exorcising mask from Guizhou, PRC

    February 8, 2019

    Japanese fox mask with moving jaw

    September 19, 2018

    Hannya, the she-devil

    March 14, 2016
  • Africa

    Rough Guro antelope mask

    March 14, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  What do you think of this hand carved work of African primitive art? Its modeled to depict a horned face with cut out openings at the eyes and has a warm patina. It is hardwood,18 inches tall, slightly cracked and chipped.   756 A:  I think it is African, perhaps an antelope mask from the Guro people of Ivory Coast.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Mbunda wise, old man mask

    October 11, 2020

    Interesting but unusual

    July 16, 2014

    A fine West African pig

    September 16, 2013
  • India & Himalayas

    Indian folk art at its best

    March 11, 2015 / 2 Comments

    Q:  How can I find out where this mask is from? It is large enough to cover most of the wearer’s face and is made of hand sewn of leather, fabric, sequins and gold thread. I’ve tried searching photos of masks from asia, south america and africa but can’t find anything that seems similar.  There are 3 others with the same coloring, shape and stress on eyes.  Cheryl, 755 A:  What a lovely piece, and a good example of Indian folk art at its best.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Unusual carved wood bird

    July 30, 2014

    Himalayan mask of Mahakala

    February 5, 2018

    A mystery animal

    April 30, 2015
  • Mexico

    One of many classic Tigres

    March 11, 2015 / No Comments

    Tigre is the word for jaguar in Mexican slang, and it was the apex predator for thousands of years until recently, when it finally became extinct throughout the country. It also plays an important role in Mexican mythology and shows up as a character in many folk dances. This mask is a Tigre for the Tejorones dance done in the Costa Chica area in the state of Oaxaca. Different versions of the jaguar-inspired mask are made throughout Mexico.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Attack of the powderpost beetles

    July 28, 2016

    Cheap Mexican decorative

    September 9, 2014

    Ritual Mask of Mayan King

    August 28, 2018
  • Misc

    Fall forward tomorrow

    March 7, 2015 / No Comments

    Some of you may not know about the Steampunk movement, or the fact that it includes masks. The genre started with Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, and Mary Shelley. Later the term steampunk was coined by K. W. Jeter in the late 1980s. It was a clever way to describe his and a few other authors’ style of writing, tying the word cyberpunk to the Victorian era.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Sri Lankan Maha Kola mask

    February 8, 2019

    Modern wall art

    August 30, 2016

    Topeng prime minister from Bali

    April 30, 2019
  • Mexico

    Very old mask? Maybe.

    March 3, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  I just purchased this mask at an auction in Georgia.  It’s made of wood and is approximately 6″x8″.  I was told it dated to the late 1800’s.  Any information you could provide is greatly appreciated.  Thank you for your help.  Cindy,752 A:  It could be a Christian, Viejo, or some other character from Central Mexico.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Old, used Mexican mask

    March 30, 2017

    Mexican Lucha Libre masks

    February 22, 2018

    Easter Devil mask, Guanajuato, Mexico

    March 24, 2018
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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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