Q: Purchased about 15 years ago, this looks nothing like my other African masks. The main construction is of thin iron. There is a woven material around the periphery of the tower-like portion of the mask. Also, a felt-like material on the forehead. There are some signs of white paint on the tower and the ears, plus what may be attachment holes on the rear periphery. I think it may have been wearable. Anne & Sam, 536 A: Lots of handsome iron masks have been coming out of Mali in recent years from both the Dogon and Bamana people.
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From the remote areas of Indonesia
Q: The seller bought this mask 20 years ago in Bali. But he doesn’t think it comes from there. Someone told him it was from Sulawesi and that it could have been made to celebrate dead people. It’s wood and 8″ x 5″ large with hair, cloth and a wood stopper attached to a cord. Do you have any idea of its true origin and age? Philip, 535 A: Just north of Bali are the much larger islands of Sulawesi and Borneo. Either is a possibility. This appears to be an ethnographic artifact worth learning more about.
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Kpelie masks can be wood or bronze
Q: I got three small masks, (one attached) to give as gifts for my sister. For some info I went on line and came across your web site. How much do you charge to review a mask? Bill, 534 A: On this blog I just do one mask for free.
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Could this be WWII family treasure?
Q: I got it from my father in law who spent time in Japan after WW2. It is about 10″ from the top down to the nose and 10 wide (ear to ear). It is a lightweight wood, painted. Some of the paint has peeled off but a lot is still there. Tony, 533 A: The Japanese people were desperate for goods and services during the first few years of occupation and willingly traded family heirlooms to make ends meet.
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Interesting for sure
Q: I have an interesting and rare African mask that I would like to sell. I do not have experience in these matters and I would not like to be under-compensated for the piece. Theo, 532 A: Your Chokwe mask is attractive to tourists and collectors, but does not have much resale value.
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Turtle shells are a favorite in Tibet
Q: I found this mask at a flea market in Belgium yesterday. Thing is that it’s REALLY well made and I’d like to know if it’s in any particular ancient style you know of. Sam, 531 A: This is called a Kapala turtle mask and used for Tantric Buddhist ceremonies in the Himalayas or just for good luck in the home.
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The best Noh masks are carved wood
Q: This Noh mask is made up of layers– the back is black lacquer, then white gesso, and finally a brown fibrous material. 21cm tall. Any idea of it’s age, what character it represents? Rho, 530 A: The Noh theater tradition goes way back.
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We’ve never seen this one
Q: I found your website and want to know more about this mask. I have had a few others but can’t find this one anywhere. Wayne, 529 A: Any helpful comments will be appreciated. The Mask Man knows a little bit about a lot of cultures, however, not all of them. Is that a cobra on the forehead? What about the pointed eyes, weird nose, and cleft upper lip?
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It looks authentic to me
Q: I was wondering what you thought of the attached. It is allegedly a Borneo Dayak mask from the 1940s, acquired by a WWII veteran. It looks authentic to me, but I was wondering if you had an opinion. Aaron, 528 A: It looks authentic (old and used) to me as well. But a seller saying it was brought back by a WWII vet is not provenance that buyers will believe. You need documents such as a letter from the South Pacific, an old snap shot, names and addresses of owner(s).
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Wish I knew more about this Mexican
Q: Sticker says Oaxaca, but the Oaxacan masks I have seen are very brightly colored. It also has three strips of what appears to be embossed snake skin. Stephanie, 527 A: I’ve seen masks like this before, but
