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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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    Kuba bwoom mask

    December 17, 2015

    Mystery mask from the DRC

    October 1, 2019

    Baule mask, authentic or repro

    October 10, 2019
  • 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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    Scary animal mask from rural Indonesia

    August 29, 2013

    Old half-mask from Bali

    December 5, 2014

    Java Monkey Mask

    July 13, 2021
  • 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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    Guatemalan Jaguar mask

    October 6, 2018

    Fun Guatemalan mask

    February 28, 2015

    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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    Azteca masks are amazing

    February 16, 2016

    More info on masks

    August 30, 2015

    What about this very old mask I inherited?

    July 16, 2013
  • 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 always entertaining Gelede

    September 1, 2016

    Dan Deangle masks are very popular

    July 22, 2015

    Another West African hybrid

    March 30, 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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    Art from the forests and mountains

    July 3, 2014

    Swiss mask-maker talks about Das Domino

    January 23, 2018

    Gschell mask from Germany

    May 4, 2018
  • 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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    Reproduction of pre-Columbian Mexican mask

    December 26, 2018

    Yaqui and Mayo Pascola masks

    April 14, 2017

    Old decorative mask from Guerrero

    June 24, 2019
  • 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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    Charming old Mexican mask

    March 3, 2017

    Black-faced mask from Mexico

    July 21, 2015

    Death mask of Pakal the Great

    March 18, 2019
  • 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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    Contemporary African masks are rejected.

    October 8, 2018

    The price of African masks

    December 26, 2014

    This African is still a mystery

    September 25, 2013
  • 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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    Bozo puppet headpiece from Mali

    March 12, 2020

    A pretty girl all dressed up

    September 1, 2014

    Large Baga Nimba shoulder mask

    November 13, 2019
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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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