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: …
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Believe it or not
Q: I just got back from the U.K., and there was an amazing medieval executioner’s mask in the Tower of London, but it was black on a black background with glass in front and very low light, so I wasn’t able to get a good photo (tripod would have been impossible because of the massive crowds of people). But someone got a relatively good shot of it and posted it, so here it is. Aaron, 663 A: The world of masquerade can be a wild and crazy place.
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Old monkey mask from SW China
Every so often I plan to repeat one of my favorite masks posted years back. This one is a Nuo monkey mask from Jinguan village, Anshun district, Guizhou provincial territory. It’s an 8.3 inch thin carving with a sturdy native repair. The old Nuo mask was obviously used for a great many years and the wear has resulted in a wonderful patina. The monkey’s face is portrayed with deftly carved lines and each eye is highlighted with a metal tack. In my opinion– Chinese folk art at its best. Masks like this are becoming hard to find.
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Where did the snakes come from?
Q: I just found this mask at an estate sale. I have no information about it and cannot find anything similar online. I’m speculating that it is old and authentic. Any information would be immensely helpful in appraising it. Lori, 661 A: It is common for people to speculate that a carved wood mask may have considerable monetary value.
