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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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    Airport art

    March 8, 2016

    Baule Ram Mask

    March 12, 2017

    Kota reliquaries are often in mask collections

    March 2, 2019
  • 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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    Mongolian Buddhist mask

    August 27, 2018

    Black-faced monk from Korea

    May 26, 2017

    Chinese theater mask

    July 18, 2015
  • 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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    Babanki elephant mask from Cameroon

    May 27, 2020

    Taking photos of your Mystery Mask

    June 19, 2017

    Decorating vs. Collecting

    March 25, 2014
  • 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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    World famous maskmaker from Bali

    December 4, 2020

    Garuda mask from Bali

    May 23, 2016

    Early Balinese mask

    July 25, 2015
  • 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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    Janus head mask from Africa

    February 11, 2020

    To collect or not to collect

    January 11, 2015

    Real masks vs. tourist souvenirs

    April 28, 2017
  • 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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    Diablada mask from Ecuador

    January 8, 2017

    Kobeua Indian body mask from Amazon

    August 10, 2018

    Ticuna Indian mask with full costume

    December 29, 2015
  • 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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    India Monkey Mask

    August 20, 2021

    Himalayan mushroom mask

    August 1, 2016

    Himalayan shaman’s mask

    June 7, 2018
  • 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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    WWI tank crew mask

    December 16, 2016

    The world’s number one mask

    January 5, 2020

    The balaclava can be scary

    February 11, 2016
  • 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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    A Barong mask that seems too small

    January 10, 2014

    Sometimes repairs are a good idea

    December 30, 2015

    Primitive tribal masks from Java

    October 29, 2018
  • 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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    Rare Bindji mask from DRC

    March 4, 2019

    Interesting but unusual

    July 16, 2014

    Value of tribal masks from high to low

    October 13, 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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