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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For Guatemalan mask owners
Nate sent in some interesting stuff. You will want to follow these links. Bob, i found this article fairly interesting. Namely, the picture of the cross-section of paint layers was rather shocking to me… I’ve seen masks before were one could visually count 5-6 layers of paint.. but its all the more rare to see them shown as rings of a tree… really hits home the cultural use of these… Full article: http://www.penn.museum/blog/collection/conservation/conservation-of-masks-for-maya-2012-lords-of-time/ Layers of paint: http://www.penn.museum/blog/conservation/conservation-of-masks-for-maya-2012-lords-of-time/attachment/leica-picture/
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It certainly is African
Q: I obtained this from a friend, who’s great uncle lived in Africa and collected various weapons, musical instruments, and of course mask. The white that outlines the eyes, ears, and mouth is some sort of gritty paint that can be scratched off. The mask is about 15 inches tall including the burlap top( 9 inches from the top of the forehead to chin) it is 7 and 1/2 inches across. The cone on the top seems to be made of straw and covered with burlap. Would love to know where it originated from and its purpose …if in fact it is an authentic mask. Thanks in advance for you…
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Traditional masquerade continues to evolve
Look at this wonderful postman mask from Nigeria. The guy looks like an Indian immigrant, and his cap seems to have the USPS logo on it. Times are changing. Actually, traditional African art has been changing for a long time. Two great books to read: Africa Explores by Susan Vogel and Maske by Phyllis Galembo.
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More on African masks
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Tourist junk can be desirable
Q: I found this mask at Goodwill. It is carved from one piece of dark wood. 18″ x 6″. There is red color under the black where it has chipped off. It had a string in back and looks like it was a wall hanger. Rob, 599 A: You have a Guro (a tribe from Ivory Coast, West Africa) tourist mask.
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Let’s identify this strange mask
Q: Of all the masks I have from the corners of the world, I only have one whose origins are unknown to me. It has these little perforations on the side which I assume is for attaching hay, or feathers, or maybe leaves for decoration. I would love to find out where it came from. A friend bought it for me as a housewarming gift and said the man that sold the mask spoke no English. Marcos, 598 A: This is a fine looking mask, but not something that I can identify.
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The famous Mahakala mask
Q: Here is a Nepaleese Mask from my collection. Do you know which god is depicted? Thanks a lot, Wim, 597 A: This is Mahakala, or Gonpo, the most often reproduced mask in the Himalayan area.
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Beautiful mask from the Congo
Q: I bought this mask in Berne, it’s from Gabun. I did a long internet research and didn’t find anything closely resembling. But I found your website, a treasure trove. I’d be happy if you could give me more information about this mask. Thank you! Maja, 596 A: To me this handsome mask combines the characteristics of several cultures located in the central part of the DRC, formerly the Belgian Congo.
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Meant to be a pair, but from where?
Q: I found these two masks together in a bazaar and first thought they were the classic theatre faces happy/sad. I bought the pair for $7….soon realized they are not the theatre masks, but have no clue where they could be from. There are hole for the eyes, but no side strings to allow for wearing. The wood is light and looks like it was darkened with maybe black shoe polish on the backs as well. Do you have any idea where these masks could come from? Paule, 595 A: I’ve never seen masks like these.
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Our enemy, the powder post beetle
Q: These are photos of the mask I made of my dog Cadie. Don’t know if you can see the holes on the front. Back of mask, holes a bit more visible. Once I noticed the holes I left the mask in the freezer for 2 weeks then sprayed it with a clear, flat polymer. Mark, 594 A: I’ve posted one of my own Mexican masks where you can see the work of beetles more clearly in a small photo.
