• 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
  • East Asia

    Iban mask from Borneo

    February 11, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  Hi, again– This is a mask collected by my elderly friend from an Iban area of Sarawak.  I love it (especially the cigarette foil teeth!), and I would really like to be able to tell her more about it.  Do you know what the use for such a mask might be?  Thanks again for your help!  Sarah, 741 A:  I usually don’t post two mystery masks from the same person, at least not in the same month. (Sarah’s other one is 738.)

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Old khon mask

    March 10, 2018

    Old Man mask of Japanese Noh theater

    December 24, 2017

    Why such a distorted Japanese mask?

    September 17, 2018
  • Africa

    Nice Senufo Kpelie mask

    February 8, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  This is a mask I acquired at an estate sale, the owner of which appeared to be a mask collector. I was told that it is from Africa and that it is old but no other details. The mask is made out of wood which appears to have some age on it. It measures about 14″ long and 7″ wide. I would appreciate your insight as to the more specific origin and purpose/symbolism of this piece. The mouth of the mask particularly got me interested as to why it was designed that way. Very curious about your opinion of this piece!  Yuriy, 74 A: Your mask is called a…

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    The Barnes is a trip

    February 19, 2015

    Old Bini mask from Nigeria

    October 2, 2020

    The Songye Kifwebe mask

    February 17, 2016
  • Africa

    Authentic, used African mask

    February 8, 2015 / 1 Comment

    Q:  I have three masks that my Mom got when working in the Ivory Coast in the 1960’s. I will submit the more outstanding one, the horned and somewhat furry mask. The masks are made out of wood. Do you happen to have more info on this type of mask?   Tatjana, 739 A:  I’m not a expert on African masks, but the three sharp photos you sent suggest the mask may have been used in culture for celebration or ritual.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    One of my favorite masks… Chewa

    January 13, 2019

    A well known mask from the Lega

    January 27, 2016

    Unusual African fish mask

    October 13, 2016
  • Misc

    Help Wanted

    February 7, 2015 / No Comments

    As usual, the Mask Man has posted answers that aren’t much help to the poor people who sent him pics of their Mystery Mask. I receive several requests per day and I answer all of them, but only post the most interesting ones. Some of those are mysteries to me as well. I need you to write back with a comment. Even a guess would be of some help!

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Big NWC Indian mask

    October 3, 2018

    The famous Guy Fawkes mask

    August 4, 2017

    Yakut iron mask

    April 8, 2016
  • East Asia

    Little Borneo mask

    February 7, 2015 / 2 Comments

    Q:  I’m doing some research for an elderly friend on some masks she bought in Southeast Asia in the early 1980s. She was particularly interested in the Iban people of Borneo. Some of the masks are quite nice, but this one and another like it, confuse me.  They’re both about 24x15x10cm and seem to be carved of ironwood. The weight and the fact that neither have eye or mouth holes make me wonder if they were ever designed for use.  Thanks so much for your advice!  Sarah, 738 A: I like the way this mask looks, but I can’t pin it down to a particular culture because it is unfamiliar.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    One of the great masks of the world

    November 24, 2013

    Japan’s most popular mask

    December 4, 2014

    Hannya, the she-devil

    March 14, 2016
  • Oceania

    African woven mask or PNG?

    February 7, 2015 / 2 Comments

    Q:  I purchased this basket-woven mask this week at an estate auction in Plainfield, NH, and have no idea of where it is from or its history. Any ideas?  Karen, 737 A: At first your woven mask reminded my of a yam ceremony mask from Papua New Guinea, but the structure of the rear looks more like something from central Africa.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Modern Mosquito Mask

    February 15, 2016

    Who knows this wild man?

    May 2, 2014

    Excellent example of PNG art

    July 14, 2014
  • South America

    Mexico or Ecuador?

    February 4, 2015 / 2 Comments

    Q:  I purchased this mask at an arts and crafts fair here in Mexico City. I believe it is originally from the state of Michoacan, but it could be from Guerrero or Oaxaca. I am most interested in masks related to devils or death. I attempt to obtain mask that are “bailadas” which means masks that have been used in some sort of festivity or ritual.  Carlos, 736 A: Thanks for explaining the types of masks that interest you most. I’d love to see more of them.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    2000-yr-old mask from Argentina

    April 28, 2018

    Is this a Brazilian mask?

    September 7, 2018

    Woven Indian mask from Panama

    February 23, 2020
  • Africa

    Small West African mask

    January 29, 2015 / 1 Comment

    Q:  Could you please help identify this clay and raffia mask? It measures 15″ including the beard. Thanks very much!  Karen, 735 A: Could be from the Guro people of Ivory Coast. I think it shows well, with beautiful colors and a patina that seems old and used. But it is a little small and is made out of clay rather than wood. 

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Central African mask with nasty smile

    November 1, 2015

    Odd-ball African mask

    January 11, 2017

    3 African multiple-faced masks

    August 14, 2020
  • Misc

    Little trio of masks

    January 28, 2015 / 4 Comments

    Q:  In discussion with a friend, I took a picture of some of the masks on the wall. We were discussing the different origins of Carnival masks.  One looks like the Guy Fawkes mask… I think the other a Venice mask?  I came across your site, as we were trying to research. I unfortunately do not have detailed and separate photos. I know they are for fun and decorations, but if you could help identify where these masks are from, I would be very grateful. If not, I understand.  Ruhi, 734 A:  Seeing your photo of three store-bought plastic masks intrigued me.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Anne Frank portrait mask

    January 7, 2017

    The famous dollar mask

    April 13, 2015

    Primitive Tribal Masks 101

    September 25, 2020
  • Native America

    Northwest Coast mask repro

    January 23, 2015 / No Comments

    Q: Here are photos of some masks I have picked up in the last 8 months. What do you think about the bird one?  Jim, 733 A: The masks you sent all look old and used, but whether they are or not remains to be seen. Interest in collecting NWC masks goes back to the late 19th century. Indians started making masks for sale to tourists way before 1900 and have been doing so ever since.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Navajo Mystery Mask… or?

    October 21, 2016

    Big NWC Indian mask

    October 3, 2018

    3 masks from Greenland

    June 17, 2017
112113114115116


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 ©