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  • Africa

    Sometimes it takes a while

    March 12, 2014 / 1 Comment

    Q: I was told by a German collector this mask was worn during tribal ceremonies but, no other information was known. It needs some restoration, I think. Not knowing where it is from means I’m not sure what it is suppose to look like. I have asked many people and one person said possibly Tchokwe but, with lack of symbol on the forehead could not be certain. It is made of a wood front and burlap(?) back with a fiber material attached to that and appears hand sewn. It would in fact accommodate a head but, it would be a snug fit. Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated.  Carolyn,…

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    Bob Ibold

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    Maybe old and used

    July 2, 2014

    Mask from Burkina Faso

    March 27, 2018

    A special iron mask from Mali

    August 24, 2013
  • Bali & Java

    One of many Balinese characters

    March 7, 2014 / No Comments

    Q: I have a carved wooden noh mask and I can’t seem to find one quite like it. Some help concerning the age, authenticity and possibly value would be greatly appreciated.The mask seems like it has a little age but doesn’t seem used. The strips of animal skin with hair for the eyebrows and mustache seem older and dry, and the tacks holding them in are a bit rusty. The mask is about 5-3/4 inches wide and 7-1/2 tall.  Tyler, 618 A: Japan is a country where they take masquerade very seriously and so is Bali (part of Indonesia).

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    Bob Ibold

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    Primitive tribal masks from Java

    October 29, 2018

    Balinese clown mask

    May 11, 2019

    Newer mask from urban Java

    December 8, 2019
  • Guatemala

    Guatemalan immigrates to Brazil

    March 6, 2014 / No Comments

    Q: My understanding is that this is an older Brazilian Carnaval mask, I picked it up on a trip years ago. Old or not I really like the mask and have kept it in the bath looking down on the unassuming visitor……it always gets a comment!  Justin, 617 A: First, a note of explanation.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Refurbished cowboy mask from Guatemala

    November 19, 2019

    Excellent 100 yr-old mask

    October 21, 2018

    Guacamaya character from Guatemala

    January 21, 2016
  • Mexico

    Something creepy

    March 6, 2014 / No Comments

    Q: The construction on all three masks is the same (one is pictured). Came across these when looking for some antique furniture. They were inside an old chest. I would suspect the teeth are cow or horse. Look forward to your comments.  Justin, 616 A: This is an attention-getting mask that surely comes from Urupan, Michoacan.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Catrin mask from Tlaxcala, Mexico

    December 4, 2020

    Great Mexican mask being auctioned

    May 6, 2016

    Him and her masks from Puebla

    September 19, 2016
  • Africa

    A rough old African

    March 1, 2014 / 3 Comments

    Q:  I have this mask and would like to know it’s origin. I hope you can help. Thank you, Vera, 615 A:  The mask is from West Africa.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Bamana Ntomo mask from Mali

    November 15, 2019

    Igbo mask

    September 5, 2016

    Nice Bwa Mask

    May 5, 2016
  • Europe

    Different part of the world

    February 27, 2014 / No Comments

    Q: I acquired these 2 masks from a 75 year old gentlemen. They were given to him by his father who said they were purchased in Alaska. They are made of wood. The teeth seem real. Maybe a man and woman? There are no markings on the back. The hair seems like horse hair. The larger mask is approx 12×7. There appears to be adhesive on the back. The detail on the smaller mask seems as if it was glued to leather. The adhesive looks like liquid nails.  Sharyl, 614 A: At first I thought they might be Native American because I have seen a old, Northern Iroquois masks that…

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    Bob Ibold

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    European Theater Mask

    July 30, 2021

    Masterpiece from Europe

    October 14, 2016

    Unique to one town in Spain

    December 11, 2015
  • Mexico

    It’s fix-up time

    February 21, 2014 / 1 Comment

    Q: I received this mask from an estate of a friend. It is at least 50 yrs old and was bought in Guayaquil, Ecuador. The horns are loose but real horn as are the teeth real teeth, as you can probably tell. There is a snake head sticking out of the mouth. Would it be worth restoring? I want to keep it. I have another one which is similar.  Jim, 613 A: For starters, the mask was made in Mexico rather than Ecuador,

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    Bob Ibold

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    Highly decorated Mexican mask

    October 31, 2016

    Parachico mask from Southern Mexico

    April 7, 2018

    Old Oaxacan mask

    April 11, 2016
  • Mexico

    A poor mans Paragueros

    February 19, 2014 / No Comments

    Q: Your name and e-mail was given to me by a seller on E-bay- “mask monger.”  I found this mask in a box of things I bought at auction. I’ve called and e-mailed several different people hoping to learn a little history of this mask, and only mask monger knew anything. He said it might be a Paragueros mask- but told me to ask you. I’d be very grateful of any advice you could offer, thank you for your time. Tom, 612 A: Maskmonger made an interesting guess.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Our enemy, the powder post beetle

    December 15, 2013

    Olmec carved stone mask

    January 16, 2021

    Authentic Mexican mask

    May 16, 2016
  • Africa

    Another West African Mystery

    February 17, 2014 / 2 Comments

    Q: Not sure if this is an original or not. Picked it up at an auction sale. Sure is an odd one but handsome enough…lol! Thanks for anything you can tell me.  Eileen, 611 A: You will have difficulty identifying this mask.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Unusual Bambara mask from Mali

    January 17, 2016

    Perfect reproduction of Tsogo mask

    February 25, 2019

    West African mystery mask

    August 6, 2016
  • Africa

    I recognize the style but not the character

    February 11, 2014 / 4 Comments

    Q: 20-odd years ago I was doing some work in Ghana and came across this mask. At the time I thought it unusual and as far as I could tell (after a while you developed a sense of what is and what isnt ) seemed an authentic as opposed to carved for tourists item (but seeing as the Africans are past masters at aging items of course I could be wrong) anyway the mask always seemed to have a visual strength to it and I really like it. Recently I wanted to find out more about it and started looking for clues and despite a lot of searching can not…

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    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Bobo mask from Burkina Faso

    November 27, 2018

    Why You Probably Shouldn’t Buy That African Mask (But We Know You Will Anyway)

    August 15, 2023

    Kpelie mask, Senufo people, Ivory Coast

    January 23, 2017
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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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