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  • Oceania

    Dayak Mask from Borneo

    September 5, 2021 / 4 Comments

    Q: I found this carved wood mask in a consignment store several years ago. It is 20 inches long, has an articulated mouth and holes along the open edge in back to hold bark strips or hair. There are no modern materials used, no wire or nails. Just wondering if you knew where it might be from.

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    Troy

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    Sepic River area mask

    June 15, 2016

    The famous PNG mud man mask

    February 19, 2017

    Mudman mask from PNG

    July 27, 2016
  • India & Himalayas

    Nepalese Buddhist Mask

    August 22, 2021 / No Comments

    Q: I bought this mask online last week and paid less than $100 for it. The seller described the mask as African . I have a fairly large collection of African masks so I knew that was incorrect. I supposed it to be from somewhere in the Himalayan region. It has obvious wear and some damage which has been repaired. Has red wax seal on back. – Ken

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    Troy

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    Sinhalese mask from Sri Lanka

    October 31, 2017

    Rare, old Indian mask

    December 3, 2014

    A mystery animal

    April 30, 2015
  • India & Himalayas

    India Monkey Mask

    August 20, 2021 / No Comments

    I think this mask came from the 1964 NY World Fair and it’s made of papier-mâché.

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    Troy

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    The famous Mahakala mask

    December 27, 2013

    Sri Lanka has rich traditions of masquerade

    December 8, 2014

    Rare Himalayan leather masks

    October 10, 2013
  • Europe

    European Theater Mask

    July 30, 2021 / No Comments

    Q: Any idea where this is from? I inherited it from an uncle who had it in the 1950’s. He was a frequent visitor to Paris and I suspect he bought it at the Flea Market there. It is 15″ tall to the top of the ears (which look like some kind of leather).

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    Troy

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    The scary Buso from Hungary

    September 6, 2016

    Those Germans know how to party

    March 18, 2014

    Masterpiece from Europe

    October 14, 2016
  • Bali & Java

    Java Monkey Mask

    July 13, 2021 / No Comments

    Q:  I purchased this from an antique store for $75. Carved from a single piece of wood with a small purple gemstone inset on the forehead. Measures approximately 9 inches from forehead to chin, about 5.5 inches deep, and 5.5 inches across. Store owner said she purchased as part of a lot of masks from a collector at auction. Was labeled as possible exorcism mask from Nepal. – Shannon

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    Troy

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    Primitive tribal masks from Java

    October 29, 2018

    Early Balinese mask

    July 25, 2015

    Little Rangda mask

    December 7, 2016
  • Africa

    Northern Rhodesia Mask (now Zambia)

    June 28, 2021 / No Comments

    Q: My mother ordered this mask from a collector in Northern Rhodesia in 1949. (now Zambia). There is a letter from him and a note in the back mentioning a tribe which I cannot read clearly. Maroshe? Mashona is the only tribe I could find close to that spelling. It is made of very dense, dark wood and there was at one time hair attached as topnotch and beard? It may have suffered from the many moves of a Navy family over the years, or it may have come like this.

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    Troy

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    Guere mask with bird

    August 28, 2017

    Chokwe Pwo mask of Angola or DRC

    December 12, 2018

    Bemba helmet mask

    October 7, 2019
  • South America

    Tikuna Animal Mask

    June 21, 2021 / 1 Comment

    Q: I am hoping that you might be able to help me identify this mask and shed some light about it’s origin/provenance/significance. My parents collected mostly African and Asian masks/statues and I consider myself to be (moderately) good at placing origin/regions, but this one completely stumps me.

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    Troy

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    3 more Tukuma masks from Amazon

    November 7, 2019

    Big time masquerade in Bolivia

    May 10, 2017

    Great folk art carving

    September 19, 2015
  • Unknown

    A Mystery Mask

    June 16, 2021 / 1 Comment

    Q:  I am a collector of Roman and Greek archaeological finds. A few days ago for my birthday they gave me this mask. I just don’t know about masks and I don’t know what culture or era it can go back to. It is about 6 cm long. Unfortunately, I can’t even understand what material it is made of. It could be lead. Alex

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    Troy

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    Where is this mask from?

    October 22, 2013

    A wild and crazy mask

    January 14, 2017

    A mystery from Africa

    January 23, 2017
  • South America

    Piaroa-Huarime character mask

    March 11, 2021 / 1 Comment

    Q:  I know this mask is from the Amazon. Alma, 1830 A:  It would help to know from whom, when and where you got it; and how much you bought it for. These Amazon Indians live on the Orinoko River between Colombia and Venezuela. They’re unusual looking masks are made of blackened beeswax which has been caved and colored with white clay. The base and fabric are also of natural materials found in the surrounding jungle. I don’t know who this character represents, but it was made to be used used in ceremony or sold to exploring tourists. There are many different masks depicting gods and animals as well. Some…

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    Bob Ibold

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    Peruvian Diablo mask

    June 27, 2018

    Animal mask of Amazon Indians

    January 30, 2018

    Old Bolivian funeral mask

    August 2, 2016
  • Native America

    Native American mask

    March 11, 2021 / 1 Comment

    Q:  Would you happen to know where this originated and if it is valuable enough to be appraised?  My deceased cousin traveled the world for years, and this is one of her treasures.    Beverly, 1829 A:   It is Iroquois in style,  made in the USA,  and maybe  worth enough to be  appraised.  All  kinds of  people  love  to  see  Native  American  masks  on  the  walls  of  their  cabins  and  rec rooms.  The  value  can  go  up  according  to  signature,  date  and  condition.

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    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Koskimo wearing a Hami mask

    September 16, 2015

    Inuit small stone mask

    February 15, 2016

    NWC raven mask, sort of

    May 29, 2015
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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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