For mask collectors and adventure seekers Oaxaca has it all. There are countless festivals and celebrations many of which involve the use of masks. You’ll even see the use of masks in some weddings and graduation ceremonies! I’ve traveled to numerous places around the world and Oaxaca, Mexico holds a special place in my heart. I’d go as so far as to call Oaxaca my second home. I’ve spent more time in Oaxaca than anywhere else in the world (other than Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA where I grew up). In addition to masks, there are amazing ancient ruins (Zapotec, Monte Alban) just a 30-minute bus ride from the center along with…
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Where did it all begin?
Since the earliest times, human beings have struggled untiringly for their survival on earth, managing to adapt and evolve according to their environment and the challenges that it brings. Added to this, the acquisition of consciousness and the perception of reality made them not only have recognition of themself but of other species such as animals and plants and it is there where for different reasons, they begin to seek the personification or transformation of their own appearance. The word “mask” etymologically speaking could have several meanings: “mask” originates from the French masque or maschera in Italian or másquera from Spanish. The possible ancestors in Latin are mascus, masca =…
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Indonesian Tiger Mask
Q: I think the mask that I have here should be an old Sumatran Tiger mask? I acquired it out of a Dutch private collection dome 20 years ago. Could I ask your help to identify this beautiful mask. – P
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Oceanic Mask?
Q: Daniela ask: Unfortunately I don’t know anything about the mask. We bought it from somebody in Czech.
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Dayak Mask from Borneo
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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Nepalese Buddhist Mask
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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India Monkey Mask
I think this mask came from the 1964 NY World Fair and it’s made of papier-mâché.
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European Theater Mask
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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Java Monkey Mask
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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Northern Rhodesia Mask (now Zambia)
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.
