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

    August 15, 2023

    Ogoni or Ibibio mystery mask

    July 17, 2020

    Big, beautiful croc

    October 22, 2014
  • 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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    Full Balinese mask

    February 21, 2018

    Early Balinese mask

    July 25, 2015

    Old Java mask with nice patina

    August 25, 2018
  • 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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    Children will like this

    August 14, 2014

    Mask, hat and costume from Guatemala

    December 30, 2016

    Unusual Maximon mask from Guatemala

    November 17, 2018
  • 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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    Mystery mask from Oaxaca

    August 22, 2020

    Pre-Columbian stone and clay

    March 25, 2017

    Pilate mask from Guerrero

    October 6, 2020
  • 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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    A version of the Senufo Kpelie mask

    July 31, 2015

    Tourist mask of unusual wood

    September 18, 2013

    Crazy West African mask

    August 29, 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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    Something different

    November 3, 2013

    Traditional mask from the Swiss Alps

    December 7, 2015

    Old Venetian carnival mask

    August 21, 2017
  • 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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    Another great Mexican decorative

    February 8, 2016

    PreColumbian death mask of Pakal the Great

    August 20, 2020

    History of Mexican masks

    February 21, 2018
  • 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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    New Parachico mask from Mexico

    September 22, 2018

    Tigre mask from Mexico

    May 15, 2016

    Another great decorative

    August 19, 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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    A favorite type of African mask

    September 25, 2014

    This African is still a mystery

    September 25, 2013

    Toma Poro Society mask

    April 2, 2015
  • 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

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    Large headdress from Sierra Leone

    May 7, 2017

    The problem with African masks

    January 25, 2020

    Nice Senufo Kpelie mask

    February 8, 2015
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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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