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  • Mexico

    Mexican decoratives can fool you

    June 16, 2014 / 1 Comment

    Q:  A friend of mine purchased this mask for me at a flea market. I believe it’s a Balinese mask but I have no idea what kind or what it represents or would be used for. I would like to find out this information if possible. Can you help?  Jack, 650 A: You have a double-faced Mexican tourist mask probably made in Guerrero.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Decorative fish mask from Mexico

    October 20, 2018

    More info on masks

    August 30, 2015

    Holy Week mask from NW Mexico

    December 5, 2017
  • India & Himalayas

    Beautiful mask from Bhutan

    June 12, 2014 / No Comments

    Q:  I know almost nothing about the Yama – I won it at an auction for very little. Aaron, 649 A:  Bhutan is able to support the art of fine mask-making, perhaps because it’s such a costly place to visit and the tourists have plenty of money to spend. This mask of Yama, Lord of the Underworld, is a beautiful example of what can still be purchased in that remote Himalayan country.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Himalayan skull masks

    January 30, 2017

    From an island off the tip of India

    August 23, 2017

    I love delivering good news

    October 27, 2013
  • East Asia

    The Dayak people’s favorite

    June 11, 2014 / No Comments

    Q:  I found this mask in a Chinese junk shop in Miri Borneo. I believe it to be pretty old but don’t know the story behind it. What or who does this represent. 16″ H, 11″ W.  Scott, 647 A:  It is from Borneo and is called a Hudoq mask.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Rare old Chinese Nuo mask

    March 19, 2015

    Old Man mask of Japanese Noh theater

    December 24, 2017

    Wuhan has masks also

    June 9, 2020
  • Africa

    Unusual Lipiko helmet mask

    June 6, 2014 / 1 Comment

    Q:  You may remember me – I sold you the field-collected yellow Makonde mask from Mandela, Mozambique. (I did my fieldwork among the Makonde in 2004)  I think the Makonde mask with mustache and blue skull cap is pretty interesting and wonder if you have additional photos of it. Is it yours?  I’d love to know more about it, and see more views of it.  Thanks, Alex A: I will send you more photos.

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    Bob Ibold

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    A special iron mask from Mali

    August 24, 2013

    The Mask Man needs help

    September 10, 2016

    Africa’s greatest mask

    April 27, 2020
  • Caribbean

    Brunca Devil mask

    June 5, 2014 / No Comments

    Q:  This mask is from Rey Curre which has a little different style of carving than the carvers from Boruca village. Rey Curre carvers tend to stick with the older, traditional style masks. The villages are just a few miles apart.  It is danced and battle worn from the ceremonies.  Tom, 645 A:  Thanks for sharing this unusual Brunca mask with us.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Elaborate Dominican masks

    September 11, 2016

    The Vejigantes steal the show in Ponce, PR.

    March 26, 2017

    Coconut mask from Puerto Rico

    February 28, 2016
  • India & Himalayas

    A smile from the Himalayas

    June 2, 2014 / 4 Comments

    Q:  i bought this mask at a thrift shop in victoria bc. Thought it was westcoast carving, then looked online and it seems to fit with the monpa primitive theme. Saw a similar one that was nicknamed ‘joker’ on the zemanek site. Is it monpa and what sort of age would it be. It has a red wax seal or stamp in it   Walter, 644 A:  It is a primitive Himalayan mask.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Why Does My Nepalese Mask Have a Red Wax Seal?

    March 7, 2025

    Large Indian mask

    March 15, 2016

    Indian mystery mask

    June 22, 2017
  • Mexico

    The dreaded Jaguar

    May 23, 2014 / 1 Comment

    Q:  (From a small museum) We have this wooden mask with no information on it, and no real leads on where to look. The mask is an orange face with black spots all over it, with it’s brow and mouth region protruding out. It’s about 8″ tall and has what appears to be some form of leather with a few traces of animal hair nailed in with tiny nails above its’ eyes and mouth almost like eyebrows and a mustache. Inside the mouth on the upper part are four holes that look like they used to hold some kind of makeshift teeth in them.  Dani, 643 A:  Maybe it’s a…

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    Bob Ibold

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    Attack of the powderpost beetles

    July 28, 2016

    Classic Mexican Moor mask

    April 22, 2015

    Ritual Mask of Mayan King

    August 28, 2018
  • Mexico

    Beware of barking dog

    May 21, 2014 / No Comments

    Q:  Good day, Bob. Thank you for the given opportunity to find out more about masks. There is a mask carved from the wood 10.5″ high, 9.5″ diameter of the top, and 6.5″ is a diameter of the teeth part.  Igor, 642 A:  I’m going to guess this is a wolf or dog mask from Mexico.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Something creepy

    March 6, 2014

    Show stopper from Guerrero

    October 6, 2014

    Popular Mexican armadillo mask

    January 6, 2017
  • East Asia,  India & Himalayas

    Beautiful Buddha

    May 15, 2014 / 2 Comments

    Q:  I’ve had this and another very similar mask for some 15yrs. They were found in a skip! 18″ tall 11″ wide and made I think of balsa, they are very light anyway and feel furry. I have seen Balinese masks similar but very rough in comparison. Where do you think they are from and what age? The faces were bright white but years of hanging in my Scottish cottage with smoky wood burner has given them a ‘mature patina’ Ha ha!  Al, 641 A:  This is a sculpture of the Buddha, not a mask.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Noh mask from Japan

    October 17, 2018

    Unusual metal mask from Indonesia

    October 9, 2013

    Emit mask from Thailand

    July 2, 2014
  • Mexico

    A carver with his own unique style

    May 13, 2014 / 1 Comment

    Q:  Hey Bob. I figure this one’s a fake, just thought I’d run it by you to see what you think or what style it looks like. It appears to be wood, 11 1/2 inches by 6, with horns on the face. Found it in an antique store a while ago and thought it looked cool. Thanks.  Matt, 640 A:  You wrote to the right guy. The Mask Man considers Mexican decoratives to be different from traditional dance masks, but equally valid as art.

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    Bob Ibold

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    What about this very old mask I inherited?

    July 16, 2013

    Mexican dog mask

    February 17, 2017

    Azteca masks are amazing

    February 16, 2016
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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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