• 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

    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.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Bird mask with big bill

    December 14, 2015

    Green devil from Guatemala

    March 29, 2019

    Typical Guatemalan mask

    March 7, 2016
  • 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.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    How good is this Iroquois mask?

    August 10, 2013

    Unidentified Eskimo mask

    January 18, 2017

    Kwakiult mouse mask for Disney

    November 4, 2016
  • 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.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Something else different

    September 4, 2016

    The Masks of West Africa

    February 18, 2016

    Bemba helmet mask

    October 7, 2019
  • 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.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Holy Week mask from NW Mexico

    December 5, 2017

    Battle of the Tigres

    February 27, 2015

    Caiman mask from Guererro, Mexico

    May 26, 2018
  • 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

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    What makes a mask desireable?

    October 4, 2013

    Recent Bugaku mask from Japan

    January 24, 2020

    Popular Japanese mask

    February 19, 2018
  • 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.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    This African is still a mystery

    September 25, 2013

    Sande Society mask of the Mende

    November 9, 2015

    West African mask with coins on her head

    September 18, 2015
  • 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.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Old mask from India or Thailand?

    November 12, 2018

    More masks from India

    June 8, 2019

    Sri Lankan mystery demon

    February 21, 2017
  • 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.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Mexican creativity continued

    June 4, 2016

    Oaxacan tigre mask

    September 21, 2020

    Old Oaxacan mask

    April 11, 2016
  • 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.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Mask for the Ijaw water spirit

    January 22, 2021

    Mardi Gras in Louisiana

    January 5, 2019

    Prehistoric clay masks

    May 6, 2018
  • 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.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Rare Cora mask from Mexico

    May 8, 2018

    Holy Week mask from NW Mexico

    December 5, 2017

    Hermit mask from Michoacan

    August 17, 2018
110111112113114


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 ©