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  • Guatemala

    For Guatemalan mask owners

    January 2, 2014 / No Comments

    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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    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    More about Guatemalan morerias

    July 11, 2019

    The famous Pedro Alvarado

    February 28, 2019

    Sad Tecun Uman mask

    December 13, 2016
  • Africa

    It certainly is African

    January 1, 2014 / 2 Comments

    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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    Bob Ibold

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    Beautiful discovery from the Congo

    October 28, 2013

    Old We/Guere mask

    May 27, 2019

    African bird mask of questionable value

    September 16, 2020
  • Africa

    Traditional masquerade continues to evolve

    December 31, 2013 / 2 Comments

    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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    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Pere mask from the DRC

    May 29, 2017

    Sande Society mask of the Mende

    November 9, 2015

    Cheap Liberian mask

    July 21, 2018
  • Africa

    Tourist junk can be desirable

    December 30, 2013 / 5 Comments

    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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    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Taking photos of your Mystery Mask

    June 19, 2017

    West African masks in use

    January 3, 2017

    Mikishi mask from the Chokwe

    June 14, 2017
  • Africa

    Let’s identify this strange mask

    December 30, 2013 / 5 Comments

    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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    Bob Ibold

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    Northern Rhodesia Mask (now Zambia)

    June 28, 2021

    West African 3-faced helmet mask

    June 14, 2019

    Mbuya mask from the DRC

    June 1, 2015
  • India & Himalayas

    The famous Mahakala mask

    December 27, 2013 / 1 Comment

    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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    Bob Ibold

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    Pretty Raksha devil from Sri Lanka

    June 26, 2019

    Mask of the Himalayas

    April 4, 2016

    Primitive Himalayan mask

    May 8, 2020
  • Africa

    Beautiful mask from the Congo

    December 21, 2013 / No Comments

    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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    Bob Ibold

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    Chewa mask from Malawi, Africa

    April 9, 2018

    Have you seen this?

    March 2, 2015

    Bembe circumcision mask

    June 13, 2017
  • Unknown

    Meant to be a pair, but from where?

    December 15, 2013 / 2 Comments

    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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    Bob Ibold

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    Boolean version of African mask

    February 4, 2018

    Oceanic Mask?

    November 15, 2021

    Popular tourist mask from somewhere

    December 13, 2018
  • Mexico

    Our enemy, the powder post beetle

    December 15, 2013 / 1 Comment

    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.

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    Bob Ibold

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    The dreaded Jaguar

    May 23, 2014

    Cobra Cavalera made by Lino Mora

    July 11, 2017

    Tourist mask from Guerrero

    April 19, 2020
  • Africa

    African traditional art influenced the modernists

    December 15, 2013 / 4 Comments

    Q: I came across another mask and write to inquire about its potential value. It is 24 inches in diameter. Attached are a couple of pictures. Let me know if its worth pursuing or not.  In the meantime, stay warm and keep in touch.  Charlie, 593 A: I think it is worth pursuing.

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    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Punu mask from Gabon

    January 12, 2016

    From the Baule people of Ivory Coast

    December 17, 2015

    A special African mask

    July 30, 2020
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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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