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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

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    Traditional Buddhist mask from Mongolia

    October 13, 2019

    Korean masks

    April 27, 2018

    A little about age

    September 6, 2014
  • 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

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    Mama Negra mask from Ecuador

    May 21, 2019

    Peruvian Diablo mask

    June 27, 2018

    3 more Tukuma masks from Amazon

    November 7, 2019
  • 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

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    Japanese Noh theater monkey mask

    March 5, 2019

    Samurai metal face mask

    May 8, 2018

    Korean masks

    April 27, 2018
  • 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

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    Old Oaxacan mask

    April 11, 2016

    Mexican black Devil mask

    April 6, 2020

    Authentic gallery masks

    August 9, 2017
  • 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

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    Excellent Gelede mask from Nigeria

    July 7, 2016

    Bundu mask for women

    November 20, 2018

    African Lulua mask with holes

    December 31, 2018
  • 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

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    What about this very old mask I inherited?

    July 16, 2013

    Red Moor mask, E. Central Mexico

    December 6, 2020

    Tigre mask from Olinala, Guerrero

    May 31, 2019
  • 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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    Clown mask from Veracruz

    September 11, 2017

    Black-faced mask from Mexico

    July 21, 2015

    Mexican mask with interesting history

    August 5, 2018
  • 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

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    Is this Balinese mask old?

    September 12, 2014

    Mask carving in Bali

    August 21, 2014

    Bagong mask from Java

    May 4, 2020
  • 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

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    Real mask or not

    November 13, 2014

    Popular Japanese mask

    February 19, 2018

    Japanese mask festival

    February 27, 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

    Classic mask from the Grasslands

    July 25, 2016

    Pende African buffalo mask

    January 17, 2021

    Pwo mask from the Congo

    November 4, 2015
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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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