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  • Africa

    More about tourist carvings

    October 26, 2013 / 1 Comment

    A few days ago someone sent pictures of this carved head to African_Arts, the Yahoo discussion group. She was asking for more information about the piece. (It reminds me of some masks that have been sent to the Mask Man.) One of the group’s members wrote the following answer, which I found very interesting, especially after just writing the previous post. Here it is.  

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    Bob Ibold

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    Baule Ram Mask

    March 23, 2016

    Authentic Chokwe pig mask

    February 10, 2018

    Nice mask from Mali

    January 26, 2014
  • Unknown

    Tourist masks are plentiful

    October 25, 2013 / No Comments

    Most of the photos sent in are of tourist masks. Here are nine different ones, and I have seen each of them hundreds of times. These and other designs are being manufactured in many different countries. They are plentiful and quite affordable… if you do some comparison shopping, but don’t pay a lot of money for them. I always reply to the sender, but rarely post these tourist masks on the Mystery Mask blog. That’s because they are not worn in culture, nor can I be sure where they were made. A mask bought in Port-au-Prince could have been imported from Indonesia.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Here is a real mystery

    August 4, 2014

    Mystery Mask Contest

    November 16, 2018

    Mystery mask indeed

    March 16, 2014
  • Bali & Java

    Love it or hate it

    October 23, 2013 / 2 Comments

    Q: Bob, thoughts on this one?  Nate, 571 A: Rough looking masks like this often turn up in rural areas of Java. It has probably been repainted several times. The last time very quickly. Could have been inspired by Jean-Michel Basquiat. Just joking– I find the mask very attractive. I wonder how many other collectors do?

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    Bob Ibold

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    Masks are a big deal in Bali

    September 22, 2013

    Javanese Pentul mask

    December 27, 2020

    Popular Indonesian mask

    September 1, 2014
  • Unknown

    Where is this mask from?

    October 22, 2013 / No Comments

    Recently I saw this big, unpainted balsa wood mask and instantly fell in love. It was described as an “Unusual tribal mask of unknown origin.” It is 10 inches high and about the same width. The carving is thin and very well done. The rod that holds the articulating jaw is of strong vine-like wood. Of course, balsa grows in South and Central America and I vaguely remembered this mythological character from somewhere, so I thought I could ID it. I did the research, but with no success. Can you help?

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    Bob Ibold

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    Yet another Mystery Mask

    August 3, 2015

    Ancient clay mask

    March 6, 2018

    Bulbous-nosed Asian mask

    May 25, 2020
  • restored Epa mask
    Africa

    It looks like it’s just been created

    October 18, 2013 / No Comments

    Recently I noticed this large and beautifully painted piece on eBay. The copy said “Authentic Yoruba Epa mask. Expertly refurbished & lovingly restored. Tribally used. No cracks, scratches or breaks. Impeccably repaired. Used by the Ekiti Yoruba of Southwestern Nigeria during their annual Epa festival.” I was amazed to see an Epa mask in such pristine condition. 569 Wikipedia says “An Epa is a ceremonial mask worn by the Yoruba people of Nigeria during the Epa masquerade.

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    Bob Ibold

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    The Bushoong do fine masks

    April 5, 2016

    Unusual Fang mask from Ivory Coast

    February 8, 2016

    Bundu mask of Sande Society

    November 11, 2020
  • India & Himalayas

    Rare Himalayan leather masks

    October 10, 2013 / No Comments

    Q:  Attached are some new ones I just got. The Nepalese yak hide masks are kind of odd.  I haven’t seen their like before.  Aaron, 568 A:  I have seen a few Nepalese leather masks like the most primitive one, but never one with colored drawings on it.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Photo of Ganesha in use

    June 30, 2020

    Old man mask from NE India

    June 27, 2020

    Unusual carved wood bird

    July 30, 2014
  • East Asia

    Unusual metal mask from Indonesia

    October 9, 2013 / No Comments

    Q:  A friend has sent me this metal mask. I don’t think it’s authentic ethnographic but I can’t place the likely origin. I thought possibly Indonesian. Any ideas?  Jon, 567 A:  I agree on Indonesia, the southern part, Timor or Sumba.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Bone mask or not?

    May 3, 2015

    Old mask from India or Thailand?

    November 12, 2018

    Japan uses the most masks

    October 12, 2018
  • Africa

    Unusual mask from the Congo

    October 7, 2013 / 2 Comments

    Q: I recently purchased this mask from a Cameroonian street vendor in NYC. He said it was from Congo. It is made of wood, fairly light and pithy (palmwood?) and is roughly 16″H. After some online research I found a Bushoong mask that was on exhibit in Durango, CO earlier this year: As you can see it is strikingly similar. So perhaps mine is of Bushoong origins or a reproduction there of. More importantly I’m curious of it’s spiritual connotations. Is it for divination, sorcery, initiation? Goodwill, evil?  Chris, 566A A: I also looked through some books and searched the internet finding nothing quite like your mask.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Bamana Ntomo mask from Mali

    June 15, 2017

    Biombo mask from the Congo

    March 18, 2020

    Royal elephant mask

    December 15, 2014
  • Africa

    Featured artist on Novica.com

    October 6, 2013 / No Comments

    “My name is Salihu Ibrahim, and I was born in the eastern region of Ghana in 1964. My father, Ibrahim, died when I was a child and I’m certain his death actually changed and shaped the course of my life. With the death of my father, I was sent to live with one of my father’s closest friends, Opanin Osei, a renowned traditional carver to the then Akwamu chief and the people of Akwamu. At the age of ten, I was fully under the carving tutelage and control of Opanin Osei, who usually carved the items and then passed them on to me for the final polishing and beautification. I…

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    Bob Ibold

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    Baule Ram Mask

    March 23, 2016

    Hemba helmet mask from the DRC

    July 19, 2020

    Northern Rhodesia Mask (now Zambia)

    June 28, 2021
  • Europe

    Great masks are still being made

    October 5, 2013 / 1 Comment

    Q: After a year of trying, I’ve finally acquired a genuine Rottweiler Narrensprung “Gschell” mask from a German mask collector I know.  The workmanship is fantastic, as you can see. Enjoy!  Aaron, 564 A: I do indeed enjoy seeing this famous mask.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Sardegna carnival mask from Italy

    August 16, 2018

    Rottweiler fool’s mask

    April 14, 2019

    Tschäggättä mask from the Swiss Alps

    February 8, 2019
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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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