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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Mask carving in Bali
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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Beautiful West African mask
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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Good reading
MexicanDanceMasks.com will take you to a new blog by Bryan Stevens, a well-respected collector and author. Bryan collects masks from all over Mexico, but his wonderful book, Mexican Masks and Puppets, concentrates on folk art from the Sierra de Puebla mountains that run through the states of Puebla and Vera Cruz in Eastern Mexico. I think some of you will really enjoy this new blog because it is so different from the one you are reading now. MasksoftheWorld.com is about all of the cultures of the world and Bryan’s new blog focuses on just Mexico. Therefore, Mexicandancemasks.com digs much deeper into the art and culture of a people. If…
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Children will like this
Q: Hello, I have attached a mask of what I believe to be a deer but not sure. Perhaps you could tell me a little about it. Dustin, 669 A: It is a deer. In Guatemala the people of Mayan decent have several masked dances that feature deers.
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A very toothy grin
Q: Appreciate your opinion. Would this mask be Tlingit? Jack, 668 A: No.
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Here is a real mystery
Q: I’ve picked up two masks recently. One is really unusual. It looks carved but almost like another skin substance has been placed over the face. It has corn type hair and big teeth. Pretty weird stuff. Eileen, 667 A: Far out!
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Deformity masks heal the sick
Q: I found this at a thrift shop in Boca Raton. So it is likely completely out of context. They didn’t want much for it, so I bought it, but I can’t really figure out where it is from? It is very small, more of a decorative carving at 6″ X 4″. Rick, A: You found an exorcism mask from Sri Lanka.
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Unusual carved wood bird
Q: Thanks again for doing that quick assessment for us here. I’m not sure what will happen with the masks, but your information is extremely helpful in deciding. I have another question if you wouldn’t mind. I now have one more mask. Is there anything you can tell me about this piece? I don’t intend to sell it. I just really liked it and am curious if I can learn anything about it. Lynn, 665 I’m not sure about this one.
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A Magic Dragon from the Himalayans
Q: Here is the Bhutan dragon mask I bought a couple of years ago. It is about a foot long. The black strap you see in the photo I added and the mask sits more on top of your head then in front of it. I have seen this of other photos of Bhutanese mask wearers. Also you see through the mouth of the mask because is sits on your fore head and just in front of your eyes. It is an Asian style dragon that has the branched horns and thin white whiskers, but what is cool is the typical mustache that many Bhutanese men wear. Ray, 664 A: …
