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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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    David Norden Buy African Antiques

    November 3, 2017

    Igbo mask

    September 5, 2016

    A not so typical Dan mask

    December 2, 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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    Classic Javanese dance mask

    June 21, 2015

    Pale blue Javanese mask

    August 16, 2018

    Sometimes repairs are a good idea

    December 30, 2015
  • 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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    Discovering Hidden Treasures: A Journey into the Heart of Guatemalan Mask Traditions

    July 1, 2024

    Nicely sculpted Guatemalan mask

    July 4, 2015

    Patzcar Patron mask from Guatemala

    August 13, 2019
  • 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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    Interesting Indian portrait

    January 25, 2017

    A poor mans Paragueros

    February 19, 2014

    Red Moor mask, E. Central Mexico

    December 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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    The Mask Man needs help

    September 10, 2016

    Another Kwele mask from Gabon

    April 6, 2017

    Mblo portrait mask from West Africa

    May 2, 2019
  • 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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    Carnival time in Venice is the ultimate.

    March 28, 2017

    Interesting Sardinian mask

    January 2, 2015

    There’s an Easter surprise in the Philippines.

    March 28, 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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    Authentic gallery masks

    August 9, 2017

    Charming old Mexican mask

    March 3, 2017

    Very old mask? Maybe.

    March 3, 2015
  • 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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    Pilate mask from Guerrero

    October 6, 2020

    Mexican decoratives are nice

    April 25, 2015

    Why Mexican masks are so much fun

    May 17, 2015
  • 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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    Beautiful Guru maiden

    March 18, 2016

    Red Mwana Pwo mask

    December 2, 2015

    Bete war mask

    March 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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    Average Fang mask

    August 8, 2017

    Have you seen this?

    March 2, 2015

    This African is still a mystery

    September 25, 2013
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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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