Q: Sending pictures. It’s probably not valuable, but it is very unique. I look forward to hearing back from you. Vicky, 1666 A: Garuda is the bird god, an important character in both Buddhist and Hindu mythologies. It is based on huge eagle who rules the sun and skies. He can capture anything he wants with his powerful claws. Wearing these masks costumed dancers perform religious ceremonies in several Asian countries. Your papier mache mask is good looking and traditional in style. I’m guessing the height is about one foot. It could have been used, but was likely made for tourists and collectors. Could you share with us in the…
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Useful tourist mask
Q: I purchased this helmet in 1978 from El Changarro in Nogales, Mexico for $100. El Changarro is no longer an antiques and accessories store in Nogales, MX. As you can see, I had it made into a side table. Nancy, 1665 A: A 20-inch diameter, round glass top would look perfect on this base. Thanks for sharing your idea with us. You paid a bit too much for this Guerrero-made helmet mask back in 1978, but now you have a piece of furniture that is very cool. An interior decorator would love to buy one for $250 and charge the client a lot more! If one of our viewers…
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Woven Indian mask from Panama
Q: Found this “mask” at a thrift shop for 99 cents. I think it’s a mask, but have no idea of origins, or what it was used for. It is small and is tightly woven and beautifully put together. Any ideas? Mickey, 1664 A: Many of the photos sent to the Mask Man are of masks found in thrift shops. I usually don’t publish them because they are poorly made fakes. Yours is one of the few that deserves being in a good collection… providing it is large enough to be worn. (Small ones are for tourists only and therefore less desirable for collecting.) Either way, yours is a beautiful…
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Old European mask?
Q: I bought this mask as a “Perchtenmaske” on Ebay, but I think it´s not European. Its made of leather and the nose and the eyes are wooden. Maybe you can give me some information. Peter, 1663 A: After studying your photos I think you might have an old, used artifact that could be worth a lot of money. It certainly looks authentic. But where is it really from? Perchten is an ancient pagan festival meant to drive out the devils of winter in early December with a Perchtenlauf or parade of these devil like creatures through the center of Austrian villages. Yours also might be a type I have…
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Decorative tribal-style mask from Africa
Q: I was wondering if you could help identify anything about this mask (e.g. tribe, purpose, authenticity, date of production, type of wood). I bought it at a street market in Swakopmund, Namibia in 2017, for between $100-$150. It is wood, horn, cloth and some kind of white faded pigment. Height is about 21″ or 27″ with the raffia beard. Weight is about 5 pounds. Thanks so much for any help! Chad, 1662 A: When I wrote Masks of the World in 2014, the last chapter was titled “Beginner’s Guide” and it included a section called “Different Degrees of Authenticity.” Here is number 3 of 6 paragraphs. Decorative– This term…
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Janus head mask from Africa
Q: I’ve done as much research as I can and have found nothing similar. My story with the mask is interesting; I found it while out on a bike ride. It was sitting on a sand bar, in the middle of a river (Platte / Denver). The form caught my eye from afar and initially I thought it was a child’s car seat. It does not appear to have any water damage. The only damage is the missing piece by the eye, on one side and the two expansion/contraction cracks, in the white face one the other side. It has been that way since I came a cross it. I…
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Okukwe mask, Galoa people, Gabon
Q: I am wondering if you may be able to tell me a little bit about this mask and it’s origin. Particularly if you believe it is an inuit mask. It is hand carved and made of a heady thick wood. It is a little larger than the size of my face. The white on the face appears dirty in the photos but it is simply aged. Any assistance would be appreciated. Lindy, 1660 A: This is a tourist mask made somewhere in West Africa. Most of the carvers there are experts in artificial aging because it helps them get more money for their products. Now let me say something positive…
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Help needed for fine mystery mask
Q: I recently bought this mask. Its about 20 cm tall. Looks real old and used but I don’t know where its from or from witch culture it is?. I bought it at an auction and paid 400 euro for it. Niek, 1659 A: Niek is a collector of PNG masks. I think he can tell what pre-contact usage looks like. This mask was carved with bones, shells or stone fragments… not a steel tool. But after a long search I have found nothing. Certainly 400 euros will be a great bargain if we can identify it. Please try to help us! Niek will be so appreciative. A?
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Mask and costume from Dominican Republic
Q: I am a student studying my bachelor of Set and Costume Design at the Royal Central School of speech and drama, London. I am currently researching Dominican Republic Festival masks from the 1800s. I would like to make one for a play I am designing, and would it like to be as visually accurate as possible. To be incredibly specific it would be from Le Joya – by the river I believe, but to be able to find any imagery of masks from this area would be incredible. I have looked through copious research material– libraries and galleries, online, etc. It seems to be a very niche area. I…
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The problem with African masks
Q: This mask was recently bought online. I know very little about it, except that it was exhibited at the Allied Arts Association in Richland, Washington in 1953, with an exhibition label on the back. It certainly seems to have age. It is made of a soft and light wood. The chin is rounded as if it was often held on the chin. I would love to know more. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Ryan, 1657 A: If you want to use this impressive 16-inch carving as a decor item, hang it on the wall and tell folks that it looks like an over-sized Dan mask from West Africa…
