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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Unusual mask from the Congo
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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Featured artist on Novica.com
“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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Great masks are still being made
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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What makes a mask desireable?
Q: I keep finding slightly damaged Japanese masks on the market. Do the Japanese grade things differently than the US does? This seems to confirm it. The Japanese seller considers this mask to be “fair.” Interesting to see such different grades of quality being applied. Nate, 563 A: A lot of Western collectors are obsessed with authenticity.
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Unique mask from Tibet
Q: I bought this from a guy who called it an “African” mask. It’s a cloth hooded mask that fits over the head (you can see part of the red hood through the eye holes). It’s got a distinctively Asian feel. The cowrie shells on the face (and one hanging from a felt nose) are throwing me off a little. Something about this mask looks vaguely familiar, but I can’t decide where I’ve seen anything like it. Nothing similar is in any of my books. I kind of feel like it might be some ethnic minority Chinese wedding mask or something, but it’s pure speculation. Do you have any idea? …
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Wow! Another Indian mask
Q: This papier mache mask was found at indoor flea market. Would like to know more about it. Thank you. Mickey, 561 A: Another Indian mask! In the previous post I expressed my disappointment that Indian masks were not more appreciated by collectors…
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How do you find out about Indian masks?
Q: Here is a very heavy, 17-inch tall Indian mask carved out of a hunk of wood. What do you think… is this piece ethnographic or tourist? Nate, 560 A: Ethnographic Indian for sure. But I don’t know where in India it is from or what use it was intended for.
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Traditional masquerade continues to evolve
In recent years Phyllis Galembo, Professor of Art at the University of Albany, has traveled around the world photographing traditional masquerade. She finds villages where the rituals and celebrations are still in use and she captures these beautiful performers on film. One of her books, Maske, published in 2010, is filled with photos from Africa and the Caribbean. The mask (on the left) is from an Aromgba village in Nigeria. Here are a few more of her pics.
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Guatemalan masks have strong traditions
Q: Thoughts on this one? Is it turn of the century Guatemalan? The original eyes likely were glass. About 1/3 of the side of the mask once fall off and was glued back on. Would adding new glass eyes add value or subtracts? Nate, 558 A: It’s an old, used, classic Guatemalan probably from a lesser morreria, but I can’t see any initials.
