• 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
  • Mexico

    Calavera Judio Mask

    February 9, 2014 / 4 Comments

    My book writing continues. There will be about 200 masks in the Mexican section so it was hard to pick just one for the blog. It is a skull, but not one for Day of the Dead. In Mexico, it is common during Semana Santa (Holy Week, the period from Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday) for there to be Easter pagents, depicting the capture and crucifixion of Christ. Those who pursue and torment Jesus are called by various names, depending on the town or region. In the state of San Luis Potosí these negative legions are called Judios (Juduses) or Fariseos (Pharisees). They demonstrate ignorant, unruly and evil behavior, led…

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Mexican or Guatemalan clay mask?

    September 15, 2017

    New mask from Michoacan

    April 15, 2018

    Realistic looking decorative

    October 30, 2014
  • Oceania

    Many masks are made for money

    February 4, 2014 / No Comments

    Q: The pictures I sent were my dad’s mask today it fell off the wall and landed face up on the floor it was about 5 to 6 feet from the wall when I turned it over my dad labeled it with the name Tambanan Devil Mask it was hanging on a wall 7-8 feet high!!!! It was eerie and I’ve had things happening since New Year’s Day 2014 and I’m trying to figure this out!!!!  Susan, 609 A: Your dad bought a tourist mask made somewhere in Papua New Guinea.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    New Guinea wood carving

    June 2, 2018

    The fabulous Baining mask

    April 25, 2016

    Classic mask from the Sepik River area

    August 9, 2013
  • Africa

    New 3-piece model

    January 26, 2014 / No Comments

    Q: This is the way I think the mask was supposed to be worn. The wicker and leather cap on top of the head are held on with the chin strap. The grass and leather is very dry and fragile and I was reluctant to force anything into position. Thanks for any help you can give. I really appreciate it. This is a hard one to display. Maybe a wig stand? Hate to beat it up anymore, it really should be preserved to some degree. I feel it is old and authentic, but the wooden chin guard doesn’t seem to have the same sense of age.  Don, 608 A: Your…

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Another African hybrid

    January 14, 2014

    Popular Salampasu mask from the DRC

    June 12, 2017

    Bamana Ntomo mask from Mali

    November 15, 2019
  • Bali & Java

    Unusual mask from Java

    January 26, 2014 / No Comments

    I’m working on a large reference book that will probably be called “Masks of the World.” (If you can think of a better idea for the title, please let me know.) Having just finished the Bali/Java section I though I’d share this one with you. Character Mask Java 7.5 inches, wood Mask collecting always has some surprises. Look at this wonderful little mask with its carvings on the crest, that very unusual mouth, and the way those simple parallel lines are used. It’s a shame we can’t identify the carver.  

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Primitive tribal masks from Java

    October 29, 2018

    This big Barong is meant to scare

    November 7, 2015

    The dreaded Cakil from Java

    February 17, 2016
  • Africa

    Nice mask from Mali

    January 26, 2014 / 1 Comment

    Q:  I picked this and another mask up in Mali some years ago. Don’t know anything about it. Made of a fairly heavy dark wood and inset with what looks like bone or polished kernel and colored beading.  Any info greatly appreciated.   Rick, 606 A: Thanks for the pic of the lovely mask, despite that strong background it must compete with.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Popular Salampasu mask from the DRC

    June 12, 2017

    Kuba Bwoom helmet mask

    April 29, 2015

    Spectacular Igbo mask from Africa

    August 18, 2018
  • Africa

    Another African hybrid

    January 14, 2014 / No Comments

    Q: I found this mask in the back of a small shop in southern Kenya. It is about 13 inches tall, 10 inches wide, and 5 inches deep. The mask seems to be made of a dark wood, perhaps ebony, and has what appears to be small amounts of clay inside. The carving technique leaves flattish hexagonal shapes all over the mask. I don’t know much about it, but I’ve heard that you really know your stuff. A: Nice looking mask.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Kpelie mask, Senufo people, Ivory Coast

    January 23, 2017

    More on African masks

    June 19, 2020

    Kore mask from the Bamana of Mali

    March 26, 2018
  • Unknown

    A big mystery

    January 13, 2014 / 3 Comments

    Q: Its big, (2+ feet tall), and heavy. The thing that has me on edge… someone took the time to carve out the back of this mask, yet it has no eye-holes. I cant imagine anyone (any culture) dancing something this heavy especially without a look-out. Moreover, if it was ever meant to be a passive shield tied somewhere etc.. then it wouldn’t likely be carved out on the reverse, right?  Seems like an impressive fake, but not much else. Thoughts?   Nate, 504 A: Of course, it could be a fake, but it could also be authentic.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Another mystery mask

    March 19, 2019

    Decor items vs. artifacts

    November 23, 2017

    Mask made from a turtle shell

    November 12, 2017
  • India & Himalayas

    Some Himalayan masks are blackened by smoke

    January 11, 2014 / 9 Comments

    Q: Just wanted to know about what type of mask it is and just about it in general. It is 26 length 19 width 9 depth cm.  Jo, 603 A: This is a demon mask from the Monpa people of Bhutan or Arunachal Pradesh, which is in the Himalayan region.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Why Does My Nepalese Mask Have a Red Wax Seal?

    March 7, 2025

    Masks of the Himalayas

    March 16, 2018

    Old mask purchased in Kerala, India

    August 14, 2019
  • Bali & Java

    A Barong mask that seems too small

    January 10, 2014 / 2 Comments

    Q: Bob, what are your thoughts on this little guy? I am surprised not to see fasteners, or some sort of unpainted seam at the back end of this for some hood for the dancer… that said, the details, such as the well carved eyes and fangs make me strongly assume this is authentic ethnographic and not tourist. Do they make a variant of these that are intended to be smaller/lighter, and not had the dancer (i.e. perhaps one that is more interactive with the audience?) This one is 8 inches long (11 including handles), 7 inches wide, 7.5 inches tall. A: I have seen some that are about this…

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Balinese clown mask

    May 11, 2019

    The dreaded Cakil from Java

    February 17, 2016

    Black characters show up everywhere

    August 27, 2013
  • South America

    Classic mask from the Amazon

    January 6, 2014 / 2 Comments

    I thought you might enjoy seeing the masks I’ve acquired since we last talked. The Wayana mask was hard to find, and I’m being rewarded now with dried leaf flakes scattered all over my house.  In the meantime, I’ve been editing my photos from Thailand and Cambodia, which include some amazing antique Khon masks from the National Museum in Bangkok and the Royal Palace and National Museum in Phnom Penh.  I’ll show you those when they’re ready – nothing being produced today even comes close to those old ones.  Aaron, 601 A: I love being kept up to date on your acquisitions.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Wari burial mask from Peru

    March 17, 2018

    Amazon Indian spirit mask

    February 21, 2016

    Art from the Amazon jungles

    September 15, 2013
125126127128129


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 ©