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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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    Buying a Punu mask

    June 16, 2018

    Kwele mask from Gabon

    January 21, 2020

    African traditional art influenced the modernists

    December 15, 2013
  • 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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    Thai or Timorese mask?

    January 17, 2015

    Very strange mask

    November 7, 2013

    Old, used Urhobo mask, Nigeria

    July 20, 2018
  • 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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    One of many Balinese characters

    March 7, 2014

    Is this Balinese mask old?

    September 12, 2014

    Javanese traditional dance mask

    January 9, 2017
  • 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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    Oceanic Mask?

    November 15, 2021

    Stunning art, but not a mask

    September 11, 2013

    Another Mexican Devil mask

    February 27, 2017
  • 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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    Be careful of this guy

    December 7, 2013

    Bottom of the line

    April 25, 2014

    Kuba bwoom mask

    December 17, 2015
  • 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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    Old but still colorful Indian mask

    July 30, 2017

    Valuable Sri Lankan mask

    August 13, 2016

    Rare mask from Indian Himalayas

    June 13, 2020
  • 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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    Chinese dragon mask

    June 4, 2018

    The Spanish influence

    January 8, 2015

    Tribal masks of Vietnam

    October 25, 2020
  • 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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    Hard to identify West African

    November 11, 2013

    African mask with no mouth

    January 7, 2016

    Mbunda wise, old man mask

    October 11, 2020
  • 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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    Ogoni masks from Nigeria

    July 20, 2018

    Authentic African Ekpo mask?

    December 28, 2020

    Classic mask from the Grasslands

    July 25, 2016
  • 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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    Carnival time in Venice is the ultimate.

    March 28, 2017

    The scary Buso from Hungary

    September 6, 2016

    Mardi Gras goes back to 1699.

    March 28, 2017
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Quiz - Test Your Mask Knowledge

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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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