• 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
  • Africa

    Where in Africa?

    November 14, 2013 / 4 Comments

    Q: I bought this mask from a guy on the internet from Serbia. That country was famous 30 years ago for its good relationship with Africa,  so I guess that the mask is African.  Zarko, 582 A: I agree that it is African, and it is nice looking.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Bwa Nunuma mask, Burkina Faso

    July 10, 2020

    Authentic Chokwe pig mask

    February 10, 2018

    Much larger Congo mask

    December 2, 2014
  • Africa

    Hard to identify West African

    November 11, 2013 / 2 Comments

    Q: It was part of collection of items left over from a Free Trade Import store that closed. The seller back in the mid 90’s told me that it an authentic ceremonial mask; whereas, other’s in the collection were passport mask made for tourist and not of much value. The mask has holes along the sides and I was told these held grasses at one time which would cover the lower part of the face as the mask rest upon the forehead. From the top of the crown to the bottom of chin measures 11 1/2″ and from ear to ear 6 3/4″. It is made of a very light…

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Reproductions of African masks can be collectible

    September 23, 2018

    Very West African

    February 24, 2016

    Vuvi mask from northern Gabon

    July 24, 2018
  • Oceania

    A popular god in Asia

    November 10, 2013 / 4 Comments

    Q: I would like to find out where this mask is actually from and what it represents. I bought it 14 years ago in a decoration boutique in Belgium, where I live, for 100 dollars. The guy told me it was Indonesian, but I’ve always had a doubt. It is made of wood, it is quite heavy. It is rather a wall decoration, as it is not carved at the back. Many thanks for any details you may give me.  Valerie, 580 A: This is a handsome portrayal of Garuda, an important bird-like god that appears in both Hindu and Buddhist mythology throughout Asia.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Old Melanesian masks

    May 9, 2020

    Timorese mask

    December 30, 2018

    The only Micronesian mask

    May 23, 2018
  • Unknown

    Very strange mask

    November 7, 2013 / 4 Comments

    Q: Looks old & crudely carved wooden mask with animal, about 10″ tall, wood is light some cracking, no idea where from or what age, what do you think, Thanks,  George, 579 A: This could win “Strangest Mask of the Year.”

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Strange mask of natural materials

    September 22, 2015

    Where is this mask from?

    October 22, 2013

    Don Juan the maskmaker

    August 11, 2018
  • South America

    Rich masquerade in the Andes

    November 3, 2013 / 3 Comments

    Q: I would really appreciate your help identifying the mystery mask and costume.  I bought these for $100 total from a guy who said they were from Peru.  The back is as fancy as the front.  I see some Ecuadorian (Diablo Umo-type) characteristics here, but I admit this thing is a total mystery to me.  Nothing I’ve seen or read about remotely resembles it.  Any ideas?  Aaron, 578 A: Peru sounds right to me.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Another mask from the Deep South

    April 5, 2017

    This guy has quite a nose

    November 16, 2013

    Mexico or Ecuador?

    February 4, 2015
  • Europe

    Something different

    November 3, 2013 / 1 Comment

    Q: Bought this mask online several years ago. I’m guessing it’s Swiss or Italian. The nose and chin were carved to appear “split” down the center. The wood is dense and smells like cedar.Teeth are plastic. No idea of age but it appears to be older. Any ideas as to origin?  Dan A: I agree with you– it’s an unusual mask.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Tschäggättä mask from the Swiss Alps

    March 3, 2016

    Botarga mask from Spain

    November 8, 2019

    Swiss mask-maker talks about Das Domino

    January 23, 2018
  • Mexico

    Mexican decoratives can be fun

    October 30, 2013 / No Comments

    Q:  I am new to mask collecting, but am definitely interested in learning about all kinds of masks. This particular mask is a favorite in my collection. It is wooden and definitely hand painted. I bought it for a dollar at a yard sale from a nice Asian family — I believe they were Japanese. If you can give me any information about it, I would surely appreciate it!  Desmond, 576 A: Your piece is Mexican,

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Another Mexican decorative mask

    July 10, 2019

    Day of the Dead masks from Mexico

    October 20, 2017

    Old Oaxacan mask

    April 11, 2016
  • Himachal Pradesh
    India & Himalayas

    Primitive shaman’s mask from the Himalayas

    October 29, 2013 / 4 Comments

    Q: I bought this mask from an old Tibetan refugee merchant in Dharamsala last month. He didn’t speak much English, but claimed that this mask was from Tibet and that it is more than hundred years old. I took this information with a grain of salt. To me, it does not look particularly Tibetan and what comes to it’s age, it seems quite impossible to tell, but looks a bit newer. It is very crudely crafted and quite unlike any of the other masks I saw around. Quite heavy and of hard wood. I  liked it’s strangeness and bought it for a reasonable asking price.  Aki, 575

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Mystery mask. From India?

    September 14, 2019

    From an island off the tip of India

    August 23, 2017

    Why Does My Nepalese Mask Have a Red Wax Seal?

    March 7, 2025
  • Africa

    Beautiful discovery from the Congo

    October 28, 2013 / 2 Comments

    Q: Dear members of African Arts group. I would like to ask for a help to identify this beautiful and highly expressive mask.  http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/African_Arts/photos/albums/52889153  I have purchased it as a ‘Kwame’ mask, however, my colleague from France suggested possible Zande influence. At the same time there are certain characteristics of Lega visual language articulated here. Thank you very much.  David, 574 A: The question was sent to the African_Arts groups first.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    restored Epa mask

    It looks like it’s just been created

    October 18, 2013

    Younger buyers and five figure sales mark “turning point”

    October 24, 2017

    Unusual Fang mask from Ivory Coast

    February 8, 2016
  • India & Himalayas

    I love delivering good news

    October 27, 2013 / No Comments

    Q: My daughter was given this mask by a friend. Unfortunately she does not know any details about it. It is quite large, about 2.5 feet high and about 18 inches wide. Any help with identifying this mask would be great. Thanks for your help. Ted, 573 A: I believe this is an older and well used mask from Sri Lanka.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Himalayan mask of Mahakala

    February 5, 2018

    Large, old Nepali mask

    November 26, 2020

    A mystery animal

    April 30, 2015
128129130131132


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 ©