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  • East Asia

    A Perfect Stranger

    November 16, 2014 / 2 Comments

    Q:  I am a collector of Oceanic material and just bought this mask at a local auction. It is 21 inches long and seems to be old, but I really don’t know where it’s from. It’s full of decoration, mostly scorpions and birds.  Niek, 701 A:  This is a mystery for the Mask Man as well.

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    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Japanese Bugaku mask

    May 11, 2016

    Old monkey mask from SW China

    July 20, 2014

    Iban mask from Borneo

    February 11, 2015
  • South America

    Very old Diablo Umo

    November 13, 2014 / 1 Comment

    Q:  Any ideas? The blue mask has what looks like a date 1957. They were well used. There is a moth eaten felt pad at the inside top to make wearing easier. I have no ideas. Thanks, Gary, 700 A:  The Diablo Umo fabric mask is a classic from the Quechua-speaking people of Ecuador.

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    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Art from the Amazon jungles

    September 15, 2013

    Ecuadorian monkey mask

    July 12, 2018

    Tukuma initiation mask from the Amazon

    May 30, 2017
  • East Asia

    Real mask or not

    November 13, 2014 / No Comments

    Q:  I am super excited to have discovered your site.  I have collected masks since I visited Mexico in the summer of 1995.  My favourite mask is one I bought in Taxco in a store that was just filled with masks.  I know you asked for just one to be submitted but I think the back of the other one is so interesting. It was purchased in an antique store in Honk Kong in 2000. I think I was told it was bamboo root. I don’t buy masks for their value, I really just collect what masks that I enjoy and like to look at.  Lucy, 699 A:  What I…

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    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    The best Noh masks are carved wood

    August 21, 2013

    A little about age

    September 6, 2014

    Chinese decorative art

    July 10, 2017
  • Mexico

    Routine Mexican Devil

    November 12, 2014 / No Comments

    Q:  Got this mask in Nogales, Mexico 15-20 yrs ago. I also collect Pascola masks from Northern Mexico. What can you tell me about this one?  Steve, 698 A:  I am a great lover of Mexican masks. The first mask I ever purchased (30 years ago) was Mexican and there are many on my walls at home that I just can’t part with. Even with this favorable prejudice, I am not thrilled with this piece.

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    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Tlacololero mask from Guerrero, Mexico

    June 30, 2017

    Useful tourist mask

    February 27, 2020

    Rare Cora mask from Mexico

    May 8, 2018
  • Africa

    Blind man’s mask

    November 7, 2014 / 2 Comments

    Q:  I bought this unusual African mask from a local dealer.  He told me it was about 100 years old and from the Ivory Coast.  The seller said it was made by the Yaware tribe and used in ceremonies where the magician needed to enter a very deep trance.  Apparently the lack of eye holes made that more possible.  He also said it was very rare and he’d never seen one like it before.  I’m particularly interested in the mouth with the sharp teeth.  I’d love to find out what spirits or creature this mask represents and what ceremonies it was used for.  I tried to google the Yaware tribe…

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    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Mwano Pwo mask

    December 27, 2014

    Modern Chokwe mask?

    June 25, 2017

    Dan mask from Liberia or Ivory Coast

    February 29, 2020
  • Mexico

    Specialized mask collecting

    October 31, 2014 / 2 Comments

    Even though I’m not a Lucha Libre fan, I know this guy is a currently popular wrestler from Mexico. I’ve seen his picture before. That’s saying something because there are hundreds of wrestlers that wear different masks… and they retire that unique design when the athlete ends his career.

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    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Old Bull Mask from Mexico

    April 28, 2016

    Master carver of the Sierra de Puebla

    March 23, 2015

    Decorative fish mask from Mexico

    October 20, 2018
  • Mexico

    Realistic looking decorative

    October 30, 2014 / No Comments

    Q:  I found this mask at an estate sale in my neighborhood and was told it was Balinese but I am now wondering if it could be Mexican as I know there are traditions of Mexican ceremonies in which participants wear masks caved like old men. The mask has attached hair which feels like horse or ox hair. I would appreciate any additional knowledge you may have.  Jack, 695 A:  Jack, you’re on the right track.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Bearded white man mask

    May 12, 2020

    Mexican mask with interesting history

    August 5, 2018

    Authentic gallery masks

    August 9, 2017
  • Bali & Java

    Bird mask from Indonesia

    October 25, 2014 / 1 Comment

    Q:  I have just purchased this mask because I like it.  It cost me £50. Have you any ideas about age and origin.  Kevin, 694 A:  Your Javanese bird mask has a pleasant, old, used look to it. Similar bird masks are also made in Bali.

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    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Masks are a big deal in Bali

    September 22, 2013

    Javanese Pentul mask

    December 27, 2020

    Character mask from rural Java

    December 4, 2019
  • East Asia

    Timor has many styles

    October 24, 2014 / 1 Comment

    Q:  We bought this mask in Ubud, Bali. It is supposed to be from Timor. Could you please confirm? Thanks, Hugo (Paris, France), 693 A:  Timor is 700 miles east of Bali which is a huge market for masks, even from other areas of the world. So it is not surprising that you would find this unusual mask there.

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    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Old monkey mask from SW China

    July 20, 2014

    Recent Bugaku mask from Japan

    January 24, 2020

    Old Noh theater mask

    January 3, 2018
  • Africa

    Big, beautiful croc

    October 22, 2014 / No Comments

    Q:  I have what I think is a Bwa/Bobo crocodile mask that I was told was about 80 years old, from Burkina Faso.  I was wondering if I could send you a few photos of it to see what you might be able to tell me. The closest thing I could find on the web was this:  http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fine-Old-African-Tribal-Mask-Nuna-Bobo-Crocodile-Mask-Burkina-Faso-3-1-2-feet-/321188759293.  Many thanks.  Laurie, 692 A:  That is such a handsome mask, and it is more attractive than the one on eBay. The seller wrote a good description so I’m going to share it with our readers.

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    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Pende deformity mask

    July 7, 2020

    Airport art from Africa

    May 26, 2016
    restored Epa mask

    It looks like it’s just been created

    October 18, 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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