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  • Mexico

    Good reading

    August 15, 2014 / No Comments

      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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    Bob Ibold

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    Hermit mask from Michoacan

    August 17, 2018

    Realistic looking decorative

    October 30, 2014

    Wolf man mask from Mexico

    June 15, 2015
  • Guatemala

    Children will like this

    August 14, 2014 / No Comments

    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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    Bob Ibold

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    Perfect photos of Guatemalan mask

    August 2, 2020

    Patzcar Patron mask from Guatemala

    August 13, 2019

    Popular mask of Pedro Alvarado

    March 20, 2018
  • South America

    A very toothy grin

    August 7, 2014 / 1 Comment

    Q:  Appreciate your opinion. Would this mask be Tlingit?  Jack, 668 A:  No.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Classic mask from the Amazon

    January 6, 2014

    Jaguar or leopard mask?

    May 12, 2016

    Tukuma initiation mask from the Amazon

    May 30, 2017
  • Unknown

    Here is a real mystery

    August 4, 2014 / 1 Comment

    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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    Bob Ibold

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    A wild and crazy mask

    January 14, 2017

    Another Mexican Devil mask

    February 27, 2017

    Interesting mystery mask

    May 6, 2018
  • India & Himalayas

    Deformity masks heal the sick

    August 2, 2014 / No Comments

    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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    Bob Ibold

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    Tribal mask from Nepal Middle Hills

    September 7, 2017

    Mahakala: The Multifaceted Protector Deity in Art and Ritual

    May 2, 2024

    Old man mask from NE India

    June 27, 2020
  • India & Himalayas

    Unusual carved wood bird

    July 30, 2014 / 4 Comments

    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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    Bob Ibold

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    Colonial India or more recent Nepal?

    June 10, 2013

    Animal mask from Nepal

    May 2, 2016

    Nice mask from Sri Lanka

    July 10, 2017
  • India & Himalayas

    A Magic Dragon from the Himalayans

    July 30, 2014 / No Comments

    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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    Bob Ibold

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    Tribal mask from Nepal Middle Hills

    September 7, 2017

    Unique mask from Tibet

    October 1, 2013

    You got a good deal

    September 6, 2013
  • Europe

    Believe it or not

    July 21, 2014 / 3 Comments

    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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    Bob Ibold

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    Different part of the world

    February 27, 2014

    Court Jester Mask

    September 2, 2020

    Romanian traditional mask

    April 17, 2018
  • East Asia

    Old monkey mask from SW China

    July 20, 2014 / No Comments

    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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    Bob Ibold

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    Japanese mask festival

    February 27, 2018

    Unused Shishi mask from Japan, circa 1960

    July 12, 2015

    Big bird from Borneo

    May 14, 2018
  • Mexico

    Where did the snakes come from?

    July 17, 2014 / No Comments

    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.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Armadillo mask from Oaxaca, Mexico

    November 17, 2017

    Authentic or decorative– both can be desireable

    September 27, 2013

    A different kind of devil

    September 25, 2014
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Quiz - Test Your Mask Knowledge

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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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