• Home
  • Discover & Learn
  • Ask Us About Your Mask
  • About
  • Contact
Masks of the World

  • Home
  • Blog Home
  • Discover & Learn
  • Ask Us About Your Mask
  • Masks
  • Blog About
  • Home
  • Blog Home
  • Discover & Learn
  • Ask Us About Your Mask
  • Masks
  • Blog About
  • Africa

    Strange but real

    April 7, 2014 / 1 Comment

    Q:  Hi, can’t place this one. Family in Africa 1967 on, Ghana, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt. I think this bought in Ghana from itinerant trader. Maybe Mali, Upper Volta? Thoughts? Sorry I don’t have mask, one one picture.  John, 629 A:  I’ve never seen anything like this.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Mask from Nigeria, not the Congo

    July 12, 2014

    What is the value of a mask?

    August 31, 2018

    Baule mask, authentic or repro

    October 10, 2019
  • East Asia

    Maori design on masks and tattoos

    April 1, 2014 / 1 Comment

    Q:  That would be just fine with me if you post my Maori mask on your blog.  I purchased it in 1989 at The Auckland Museum.  The mask measures 5 ½ “ x 11 ¼ “.  Edward, 628 A:  I’ve never had a Maori item on the Mystery Mask blog.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Yao Shaman Mask

    April 30, 2016

    Giant Shinshu mask from Japan

    October 21, 2016

    The best Noh masks are carved wood

    August 21, 2013
  • Native America

    From the far, far northwest

    March 31, 2014 / 4 Comments

    Q: I have several King Island masks like this is one. The estate I got if from was of a man that was very well off and loved to fish for Coho. He was in his 90’s so I expect he got this mask many years ago.  I picked up a few Alaskan treats from the estate. I do not need a full appraisal but it would be great if you could tell me a $ range so I can note it in my insurance folder. This particular mask is 7.25 in high, 5 in wide and 3.75 in to tip of nose. The mouth is 2 in, the eyes 1.25 in.…

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Carved wood Arctic mask

    September 27, 2016

    Old Bella Coola mask from the NWC

    August 16, 2018

    Indian Moon mask, Pacific Northwest

    January 29, 2018
  • South America

    Black face mask

    March 30, 2014 / 2 Comments

    Q: I am looking to identify these masks. There are three that are made in the same style but with different facial features. The paint is the same on all, making me think they are for the tourist market, I am just not sure where. One has large lips and two have large noses of different styles. I have a few African masks and other tribal art. I inherited these three from my father and am unsure of their origin. Can you help? Thanks so much for your time. I have googled and the closest I think I have found is Sri Lanka, but I may be far off. I…

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Tukuna mask from NE Amazon region

    October 24, 2019

    Indian mask from the Amazon

    May 10, 2017

    Is this a Brazilian mask?

    September 7, 2018
  • Africa

    Decorating vs. Collecting

    March 25, 2014 / No Comments

    Q: We purchased this mask recently from a man trying to get rid of some personal items. We love the combined mask basket look of it but, realize it is not an authentic worn mask. We however do not know what this style of mask is called. We would like to get more for declarative purposes but, searching basket mask on the internet does not provide any help in what they are called. Hope you can shed some light on a name. Thanks in advance.  Carolyn, 625 A: You can call this a West African tourist mask that looks like, and actually may be, from the Baule people of Ivory…

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Warlike Guere/We mask

    May 17, 2015

    Blind man’s mask

    November 7, 2014

    Value of tribal masks from high to low

    October 13, 2018
  • Guatemala

    Beat-up Guatemalan still here

    March 22, 2014 / No Comments

    Q: I purchased this mask from a small auction house here in England a few years ago.  It measures approx 14 inches by 6 1/2. It is of zoomorphic form and appears to have been painted at some time. At the top of the mask there appears to have been a hood attached and you can see where this has split out above the two larger holes there is only a tiny tuft still threaded through from the centre hole. I also think it may have had ears at some stage. carved from a heavy hard wood. .Any info would be great. Thanks, Robert, 624 A: Thanks for working so…

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Another Guatemalan mask

    September 1, 2019

    The famous Pedro Alvarado

    February 28, 2019

    The evolution of masquerade in Guatemala

    January 3, 2017
  • South America

    Always go for quality

    March 21, 2014 / 3 Comments

    Q: I just discovered this mask (have not bought it) and have no idea what it is.  The seller doesn’t either.  It bears some superficial resemblances to some forms of Bulgarian Kuker masks, but I’ve never seen one in leather like this.  It might be an American folk mask for all I know.  What do you think?  Aaron, 623 A: I hope you buy it. It is the work of a talented artist, probably European.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    3 more Tukuma masks from Amazon

    November 7, 2019

    Classic mask from the Amazon

    January 6, 2014

    Jaguar or leopard mask?

    May 12, 2016
  • Europe

    Those Germans know how to party

    March 18, 2014 / 2 Comments

    Q: I’m trying to find out some information about these masks. I’m guessing that they are from Germany. Any information would be helpful.  Craig, 622 A: You are correct, they are German.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Art from the forests and mountains

    July 3, 2014

    Long nose mask from Baden-Württemberg

    December 12, 2016

    Ntanos Blast Mask

    January 30, 2018
  • Mexico

    The famous Barbones mask

    March 18, 2014 / 6 Comments

    Q: Wanted to run a mask past you for a quick glance. You may have already seen this floating around, but I’m currently trying to decide whether to purchase. Problem is that neither I, nor the seller have much of an idea of what we have. After looking on your site, I suspect it may be a Barbones mask from Mexico – decorative, 20th century (as opposed to the seller’s opinion of 19th century). The carving just seems so fine, it would seem too difficult for a regular folk artist.  John, 621 A: Your analysis is correct. Let me add a little.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Armadillo mask from Oaxaca, Mexico

    November 17, 2017

    Authentic gallery masks

    August 9, 2017

    Rare Mexican performance mask

    February 5, 2016
  • Unknown

    Mystery mask indeed

    March 16, 2014 / 1 Comment

    Q: The attached mask was part of the Chicago collection lot that I acquired last year. It was part of a bulk lot of Mexican masks, but this one is certainly NOT Mexican. It is carved from heavy wood, and I’m fairly sure it’s African, but anything beyond that, I have no clue. I made this a present to my ex-wife, who collects African masks. She likes it a lot, but would like to know more about it. Do you have any clues about this one?  Helmut, 620 A: That is a very interesting mask. I have never seen anything like it.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Thai or Timorese mask?

    January 17, 2015

    Bronze helmet mask from where?

    November 13, 2019

    Stunning art, but not a mask

    September 11, 2013
123124125126127


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.

Archives

Masks of the World - 2025 ©