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  • 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…

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    Bob Ibold

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    Old copper tourist mask

    July 4, 2016

    Mexican dog mask

    February 17, 2017

    Nice souvenir of Mexico

    May 10, 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.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Spectacular mask from the South Pacific

    February 19, 2016

    Who knows this wild man?

    May 2, 2014

    Oceanic Mask?

    November 15, 2021
  • 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…

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    Bob Ibold

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    Decorative tribal-style mask from Africa

    February 20, 2020

    Authentic African Ekpo mask?

    December 28, 2020

    Male and female Kifwebe masks from Africa

    March 23, 2020
  • 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.  

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    Bob Ibold

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    Did she get a good deal?

    September 21, 2018

    Cakil is one of the bad guys

    May 9, 2015

    Cheap Balinese tourist mask from 1960’s

    February 25, 2017
  • 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.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Nice Bwa Mask

    May 5, 2016

    Yombe mask from DRC

    August 31, 2020

    Small mask from Congo

    October 28, 2016
  • 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.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Colorful Zaouli mask

    April 12, 2016

    Pwoom Itok mask of the Kuba

    November 28, 2019

    Bozo puppet headpiece from Mali

    March 12, 2020
  • 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.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Yet another Mystery Mask

    August 3, 2015

    Boolean version of African mask

    February 4, 2018

    Another Mexican Devil mask

    February 27, 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.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Not sure it is a Hanuman mask

    July 15, 2013

    Help identify a mask. India?

    December 7, 2018

    Excellent carving with fine details

    August 9, 2013
  • 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…

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    Bob Ibold

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    Javanese tourist mask

    February 16, 2018

    Subali the monkey king

    January 6, 2017

    Old Balinese mask

    May 17, 2019
  • 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.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Tikuna Animal Mask

    June 21, 2021

    Pre-Columbian burial mask

    July 24, 2017

    Indian mask from SE Brazil

    February 9, 2017
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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.

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