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  • Europe

    Turnips fly at the Jarramplas Festival

    January 22, 2015 / 2 Comments

    Every January, on Saint Sebastian Day, the streets of Piornal, Spain, fill with residents armed with turnips, seeking to punish the Jarramplas. The Jarramplas is a devil-like character portrayed by a man wearing a costume made from colorful strips of fabric, a frightening mask, and body armor underneath. In a centuries-old tradition, he walks the streets and beats a drum while residents throw turnips at him as a punishment for stealing cattle.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Tschäggättä mask from the Swiss Alps

    February 8, 2019

    Sardegna carnival mask from Italy

    August 16, 2018

    Strange masks from Basque country

    May 15, 2019
  • Native America

    Hopi masks returning to America

    January 19, 2015 / No Comments

    A charity which bought 24 sacred Native American masks at a controversial Paris auction is to return them to the Hopi and Apache tribes in the US. The US-based Annenberg Foundation said it had spent a total of $530,000 at the auction of masks and other artifacts. Go to this link to see more. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-25331975 I applaud this effort by the Annenberg Foundation.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Iroquois false face mask

    November 22, 2019

    Indian mask made of bone

    September 21, 2016

    Iroquois corn husk mask

    May 9, 2016
  • Unknown

    Thai or Timorese mask?

    January 17, 2015 / 1 Comment

    Q:  I’ve had it about 25 years. It came from a guy who used to import furniture from Thailand and he just acquired it from some locals who got it many years earlier from a temple that was destroyed by fire. Whether or not that’s just a salesman patter or quite feasible– who knows? But I’ve looked through the net and haven’t got any more of a clue of what it is. It’s approx 32 by 19 inches and of heavy darkish wood. If you could shed some light on it I would be very grateful.  Alex, 730 A:  I haven’t seen a Thai mask like this.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Hard to identify or just tourist

    February 10, 2017

    Heavy Metal Mystery

    January 2, 2015

    Meant to be a pair, but from where?

    December 15, 2013
  • Mexico

    Day of the Dead mask

    January 17, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  I purchased this mask at a rummage hall that deals in storage unit clean-outs. I like detail and scary images. I had a friend who works with Pacific northwest wood look at it and she couldn’t identify the type, just that it was really old. Dimensions are approx 8L” x 7.75W”x 4.75H” and the weight is 153g. Any information you provide would be wonderful. At this point I am clueless where to start looking.  Darrel, 729 B: It is a Mexican Day of the Dead mask that could be used to celebrate that very important holiday.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Ritual Mask of Mayan King

    August 28, 2018

    Unique Mexican Devil Mask

    February 24, 2017

    Very old mask? Maybe.

    March 3, 2015
  • Africa

    To collect or not to collect

    January 11, 2015 / 4 Comments

    Q:  This mask from Africa is at least  50 years old.  I do not know more about it … bought it 20 years ago in a garage sale. I’m not a collector of masks. Thanks.  Louise, 728 A:  Thanks for the excellent photos. The mask is from somewhere in West African. It was designed with a combination of references to various cultural traditions… then made to look used and old.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Is it as old as it looks?

    September 18, 2014

    Old We/Guere mask

    May 27, 2019

    Simple Gelede mask from Nigeria

    January 13, 2016
  • East Asia

    The Spanish influence

    January 8, 2015 / 1 Comment

    Q:  Have you ever seen the christian based, roman soldier masks of the Philippines Holy Week celebrations? Pretty interesting… these are large, hollowed, helmet-masks that they wear.  Nate, 727 A: Yes, I think they are interesting as well. Called Morones, they are only found on the small island of Marinduque just south of the big island of Luzon.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Could be controversial

    December 14, 2014

    Popular Japanese mask

    February 19, 2018

    Japanese mask festival

    February 27, 2018
  • South America

    Old Peru wood mask

    January 6, 2015 / 1 Comment

    Q:  What are your thoughts on this mask from Peru? Wood, chiseling, and depth all seem rather unique and not similar to what I normally see in other countries. I am surprised to think Peru has animals on the front of their masks like Mexican masks might. This one is claimed to be from the 1850s, but nothing about the string, or patina on the mask would attest to this. Does not seem like its a used mask, or an antique.  Nate, 726 A:  Nate, I’m amazed at how you continue to find interesting masks.

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    Bob Ibold

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    South American Indian mask

    February 24, 2019

    Bolivian Devil Mask with Lizard

    March 7, 2017

    Rich masquerade in the Andes

    November 3, 2013
  • Misc

    Masks as art

    January 3, 2015 / 1 Comment

    This wonderful clay mask was done by my friend, Scott Paden, when he was an art student. (Today, many years later, he is Director of Preservation for OLBN, an architectural firm with offices in DC, New York and Beijing.)  725 Masks are a combination of sculpture and painting. Art teachers know that and will often assign masks as a class project that integrates social studies, literature, history and religion, and introduces the students to new materials such as papier mache, plaster, clay, metal, wood, etc. It can be a delight to see the results of these student efforts.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Sri Lankan Maha Kola mask

    February 8, 2019

    Praise for the new book, Masks of the World

    December 5, 2015

    Lost in Translation: Why Your African Mask Isn’t Phoning Home

    August 31, 2023
  • Unknown

    Heavy Metal Mystery

    January 2, 2015 / 5 Comments

    Q:  I recently purchased this copper mask online and was wondering what your thoughts regarding country of origin might be. It’s very well made and could easily be worn by an adult, though it’s fairly heavy. It’s similar in construction to the tin Bolivian masks I own, but not quite the same stylistically. Possibly Mexican or Peruvian? I’m hoping one of your dedicated followers may have some insight. Thanks, Dan, 724 A:  That’s a hum dinger of a mask!

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    Bob Ibold

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    Decor items vs. artifacts

    November 23, 2017

    This will be a tough one

    November 22, 2013

    Mystery Monkey mask

    November 22, 2020
  • Europe

    Interesting Sardinian mask

    January 2, 2015 / 2 Comments

    Q: This unusual mask was a total mystery when I bought it, but now I would like to share it with you and your visitors. I got it for some 70 usd at a thrift shop. It had a tag with a telephone number and said ‘Bottega Artigiana per lo studio delle arti popolari’, and there is a logo branded in the inside. It was made by Gian Pietro Angelo in the town of Macomer on the island of Sardinia, Italy. I guess it is of Mediterranean pine tree, and has a bright red water color with dark varnish, which gives the mask an incredibly gloomy red color.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Old masquerade traditions in Portugal

    November 8, 2017

    Rottweiler fool’s mask

    April 14, 2019

    Masterpiece from Europe

    October 14, 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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