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  • Africa

    Have you seen this?

    March 2, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  Does anyone know anything about this mask? It’s brass or bronze with an old patina and appears to have been worn over some kind of cloth headdress. Its believed to have come from the Mossi people of Burkina Faso and was bought from a “runner” about twenty-five years ago. It’s about 9 1/2 inches high. Any information will be greatly appreciated.  Gary, 751 A:  A week ago this was posted on the Yahoo discussion group, African_Arts. It was promptly answered with “It is a Lobi Headdress.”

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    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Baule Ram Mask

    March 12, 2017

    Bwa rooster mask, Burkina Faso

    May 8, 2019

    Early Kuba mask with provenance

    November 12, 2019
  • Africa

    Bete war mask

    March 2, 2015 / 1 Comment

    Q:  I bought this mask at the Tucson Gem Show African Pavilion about 7 years ago. I don’t remember where it came from, or if I was ever told. I think I paid $140.00 for it.  It is one of three of my favorite masks.  Ira, 750 A:  It doesn’t matter a whole lot what it is or how much you paid, if you really like it.

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    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    African Toma mask

    June 17, 2018

    Igbo crest mask from Africa

    November 24, 2020

    Bwa Nunuma mask, Burkina Faso

    July 10, 2020
  • Guatemala

    Fun Guatemalan mask

    February 28, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  Hi Bob, Jim Walker here. Just picked up a mask. I think it might be Mexican. What do you think about the edge wear?  Jim, 749 A:  The edge wear and rear inside do suggest age. But where are the strap holes? How would you keep it on your face? Authentic or not, this item is pretty cute. As an artist, I would enjoy having it on my wall. It is a quickly made Indian mask from Guatemala. The character is wearing a feathered headdress.

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    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Rare Guatemalan mask

    August 23, 2020

    Repainted Guatemalan mask

    August 4, 2018

    Death mask of Pakal the Great, Palenque

    March 21, 2020
  • Misc

    Mask of the future

    February 27, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  I am a member of the Carapace Project’s team. We create customized masks using 3d body scanning technique and high-quality 3d printers. Your work and your website represent a source of inspiration for us and makes me feel you are one of those people who would like to see what “the mask from the future” looks like. So, we would like to introduce you our new collection, Carapace.  Fabrizio, 748 A:  This is pretty cool stuff.

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    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    The mask as a subject for art

    September 19, 2013

    Ku Klux Klan mask/hood

    February 19, 2019

    Part 2: A Closer Look at the Masks of the Bolivian Museum of Ethnography and Folklore’s

    March 6, 2025
  • Mexico

    Battle of the Tigres

    February 27, 2015 / 1 Comment

    Q: This is a mask I got in Guerrero, Mexico some years ago.  I believe it is “vintage,” because I don’t think they make them out of leather anymore.  I was told it’s a jaguar for a jaguar dance.  It’s leather that has been colored in a dark turquoise color, has mirrors for eyes, and projecting whiskers (not sure whether they are organic hair or synthetic) – aprox 6 in. tall.  Deborah, 747 A:  Called a Tigre mask all over Mexico, this one is from Zitlala, Guerro, where they have a special celebration in May where gangs from different barrios in town put on these heavy leather helmets and fight…

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    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Decorative fish mask from Mexico

    October 20, 2018

    Unusual Mexican decorative mask

    December 1, 2017

    Good reading

    August 15, 2014
  • East Asia

    Cute Japanese party mask

    February 25, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  Could you please tell me what you can about these two papier mache masks- country of origin, age, purpose? One looks like an animal, possibly a fox, the other appears to be possibly a human caricature. I bought them together at a flea market last year and they look like they are from same maker. Thanks,  Sal, 746 A:  I believe this is an inexpensive mask made for ordinary people in Japan.

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    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Old Noh theater mask

    January 3, 2018

    Hannya, the she-devil

    March 14, 2016

    Maiden mask from Korea

    January 9, 2019
  • Caribbean

    Big mask from Puerto Rico

    February 21, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  I have inherited one large signed Caraballo and two small Caraballo, Jr. Vejigante masks.  The father’s mask is dated 1986 and the 2 by Jr. are dated 1987.  I am in the market to sell them and I have detailed pictures which I can forward if you give me an email address.  Robert, 745 A:  This is a parade-size Vejigante made by Miguel Caraballo of Ponce, Puerto Rico.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Where does this mask come from?

    September 5, 2018

    Masks of the World Presents: The Authentic Boruca Collection!

    September 22, 2023

    Haitian masks of wood, metal

    August 29, 2018
  • Africa

    The Barnes is a trip

    February 19, 2015 / No Comments

    Yesterday I took the train to downtown Philadelphia and got my first look at the famous Barnes Foundation in its new building. What a treat that was! In case you don’t know about it, the Barnes is the only museum in the world that displays African traditional art along with French Impressionism and other modern art… side by side!  See for yourself at www.barnesfoundation.org In their office area I saw a recently made paper mask on the wall and asked about it.

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    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Janus head mask from Africa

    February 11, 2020

    White-faced African with little beak

    December 28, 2016

    Blended mask from West Africa

    October 29, 2017
  • India & Himalayas

    Primitive mask from the Himalayas

    February 17, 2015 / 1 Comment

    Q:  Mask with crude carving, 24.5 x 15 cm, with darkened surface, I do not know what kind of wood. I bought this mask from a man who had bought in Nepal many years ago. I was told this was a Tamang dance mask from Nepal. I would like to have your opinion on its origin, authenticity and age. It would also be very interesting to know more about its symbolic meaning and use. A:  The Tamang, one of several ethnic groups living in the Himalayan regions of Nepal, practice Tibetan Buddhism and are known to produce primitive looking masks such as this for use in shamanistic rituals.

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    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Finding valuable masks is hard.

    December 10, 2020

    Traditional Sri Lankan mask

    April 17, 2015

    Jeweled bronze Mahakala

    March 5, 2018
  • Africa

    African art show in Bloomington, IN

    February 12, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  We’re hosting a special exhibition called “Visions from the Forests: The Art of Liberia and Sierra Leone” at the Indiana University Art Museum. The centerpiece of the exhibition is over 30 different masks. I was doing a little web research, and came across your site, and thought you might find this exhibition interesting.  It opens March 7, and will continue to the High Museum in Atlanta afterwards. It has previously been on view at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and the Smithsonian.

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    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Pende Mbangu (sickness) mask

    March 3, 2020

    Water spirit mask from Niger delta

    September 26, 2018

    Hard to identify West African

    November 11, 2013
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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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