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  • Africa

    Hard to recognize East African

    September 7, 2014 / No Comments

    Q:  I purchased this mask from an auction or estate sale and was wondering if you could tell me if it’s a tourist mask or actual tribal. Thank you. David, 681 A:  I was having trouble identifying this mask and asked my friend Aaron to help. His first choice was the Makonde people who live in both Tanzania and Mozambique.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Bozo puppet headpiece from Mali

    March 12, 2020

    Red Mwana Pwo mask

    December 2, 2015

    Interesting but unusual

    July 16, 2014
  • East Asia

    A little about age

    September 6, 2014 / No Comments

    Q:  This mask was bought on Borneo and is said to be from the Iban on Borneo used for rice-field ceremony. It comes from the Kapit area. I am curious whether it is authentic (indication is that it comes from the 1920’s).  Adam, 680 A:  Simple, primitive masks that look like this can be found in many cultures throughout the world including African, Himalayan, Timorese, Mexican, etc. Fortunately, you know exactly where yours was made.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Thai Hanneman mask

    August 20, 2020

    Korean masks

    April 27, 2018

    Japanese Kyogen mask

    February 24, 2018
  • Africa

    A little about authenticity

    September 3, 2014 / No Comments

    Q:  I found this at a goodwill store. Just wondering what the background is and if it appears to be authentic.  Nathan, 679 A:  Your mask an attractive reproduction of a classic Goli Kpan mask from the Baule people of Ivory Coast. This type of Goli mask always shows a beautiful women with an elaborate coiffure and elegant scarification. Yours is quickly made and artificially aged, but nicely proportioned and traditional in style. I like it.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Why have a mask appraised?

    October 26, 2018

    Beautiful mask from the Congo

    December 21, 2013

    Baule mask from West Africa

    September 22, 2018
  • Bali & Java

    Popular Indonesian mask

    September 1, 2014 / No Comments

    Q:  Bought this mask at an estate not sure what I want to do with it probably to be honest sell it.   Lile, 678 A:  This is Rangda, the most popular character mask from the classic Balinese dance dramas. People find them colorful and exotic. It is an inexpensive one that has been carved and painted quickly and can be purchased for very little money. If you search you can find photos of much finer examples, but they will cost more. A well made Rangda that has been used by a professional dancer for a long time would cost even more. Actually, B, C and D all apply to this…

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    Bob Ibold

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    Bad guy from Bali

    August 3, 2016

    Balinese masks, the most dramatic

    November 28, 2018

    Mahakala: The Multifaceted Protector Deity in Art and Ritual

    May 2, 2024
  • Africa

    A pretty girl all dressed up

    September 1, 2014 / No Comments

    Q:  I purchased this mask eighteen years ago from an individual. This mask is of particular interest due to its use of materials. Wood mask with hammered metal teardrop under the eye and each is attached with three brads. The mask is surrounded with cloth and crudely sewn. Seashells are attached to the cloth with thread. Two folded over half round circles are attached thru the cloth and have what I assume are rocks in them to make noise. Unfortunately, my wife discarded the certificates of origin. Wood mask size 5” wide X 8” tall. From cloth to  cloth 9“ wide.  From cloth to bells 12.5” tall.  James, 677 A: …

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    Bob Ibold

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    Dan look-a-like

    November 25, 2020

    The spectacular hawk/butterfly mask

    January 2, 2016

    Pwoom Itok mask of the Kuba

    November 28, 2019
  • South America

    World traveling mask

    August 31, 2014 / 2 Comments

    Q:  I have a second mask if you would like to see it. I got them from my uncle some years ago. He got the 2 of them in Russia about 25 years ago, though I’m sure they are much older than that. I assume they are of Germanic origin but really don’t know. Any info you can provide would be great. Thanks.  Josh, 676 A:  Foreign folk art often turns up thousands of miles from where it was made.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Pre-Columbian masks & statues

    November 26, 2019

    Ecuador pig mask

    December 3, 2016

    Ecuadorian monkey mask

    July 12, 2018
  • India & Himalayas

    Don’t be fooled by old looks

    August 26, 2014 / 1 Comment

    Q:  We purchased this mask and have no idea about it.  It is made of one piece of wood.  The motif atop the mask is of a man riding a cat which has a man in it’s  mouth.  There appears to be an export wax stamp on it but we cannot make out the characters and there is a price tag of $890.00.  Lizzy, 675 A:  Masks like this have a nice antique feel and are excellent wall hangings.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Why Does My Nepalese Mask Have a Red Wax Seal?

    March 7, 2025

    Fake Nepal Ganesh mask

    April 17, 2019

    Himalayan skull masks

    January 30, 2017
  • Protection

    Rare protective mask

    August 21, 2014 / No Comments

    Q:  I’m a collector based in Chicago who specializes in mostly gas masks or war masks weather they be cold weather pieces or pilot respirators. I have a few very scarce pieces that I was wondering if you would be interested in purchasing. The mask pictured is an unknown WWI era Italian prototype mask. It was obtained from a very well known collector in Spain who owns about 2500 masks. It comes in a tin which is stamped 1916 but the mask may possibly be post-war and just stuffed into an older tin. It is definitely pre-WWII though. It looks to be based off of the tampon mask but has…

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    Bob Ibold

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    Kendo protective mask

    October 17, 2016

    Early firefighters mask

    December 31, 2016

    Funny face masks

    April 24, 2020
  • Bali & Java

    Mask carving in Bali

    August 21, 2014 / No Comments

     Q:  I have been traveling for 12 years and collected a few masks on the way. Only recently I have looked into my boxes with my stored collection and found this nondescript mask, which I can’t for the sake of it remember where I bought. Maybe you can help me?  Bo, 673 A: This is an unpainted decorative wood carving from Bali done in a combination of styles.

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    Bob Ibold

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    One of many Balinese characters

    March 7, 2014

    Old Balinese mask

    May 17, 2019

    Another old mask from Bali

    July 29, 2015
  • Africa

    Beautiful West African mask

    August 18, 2014 / 2 Comments

    Q:  Hello, I have this African mask, but I am unsure of its tribal attribution. Can you or any of your visitors assist? Thank you very much!  Andrew, 671 A:  Looks like a Baule or Guro mask from the Ivory Coast of West Africa.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Buying a Punu mask

    June 16, 2018

    Decorative Mwana Pwo mask

    March 31, 2020

    Baule mask from West Africa

    September 22, 2018
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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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