• Home
  • Discover & Learn
  • Ask Us About Your Mask
  • About
  • Contact
Masks of the World

  • Home
  • Blog Home
  • Discover & Learn
  • Ask Us About Your Mask
  • Masks
  • Blog About
  • Home
  • Blog Home
  • Discover & Learn
  • Ask Us About Your Mask
  • Masks
  • Blog About
  • Mexico,  Travel

    Embark on a Mask-terful Journey: Oaxaca, the Ultimate Starting Point for Aspiring Mask Collectors!

    May 2, 2022 / No Comments

    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…

    Read More
    Troy

    You May Also Like

    Rare Mexican performance mask

    February 5, 2016

    Clown mask from Veracruz

    September 11, 2017

    Rey del Moros from Veracruz

    August 1, 2017
  • Discover & Learn,  History

    Where did it all begin?

    April 10, 2022 / No Comments

    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 =…

    Read More
    Paula Diaz

    You May Also Like

    A Brief (and Quirky) History of Masks – From Prehistoric Art to Pandemic Protection

    July 18, 2023

    “Echoes of the Lost: The Kogui Masks’ Journey from Sierra Nevada to Berlin” V.1

    July 26, 2023

    Inside the Mind of a Collector: Why Do We Hoard, Anyway?

    July 12, 2023
  • Indonesia

    Indonesian Tiger Mask

    January 7, 2022 / No Comments

    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

    Read More
    Troy

    You May Also Like

    Another mask I need help with

    June 25, 2019

    Classic Javanese dance mask

    May 25, 2019

    2 wild boar masks from Bali

    July 21, 2019
  • Africa,  Oceania,  Unknown

    Oceanic Mask?

    November 15, 2021 / No Comments

    Q: Daniela ask: Unfortunately I don’t know anything about the mask. We bought it from somebody in Czech.                                                                                                                        

    Read More
    Troy

    You May Also Like

    Reproductions of African masks can be collectible

    September 23, 2018

    Guere mask with bird

    August 28, 2017

    The spectacular hawk/butterfly mask

    January 2, 2016
  • 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.

    Read More
    Troy

    You May Also Like

    Mortlock Island mask

    August 16, 2017

    Cool tourist mask from PNG

    March 25, 2020

    Lovely piece of PNG art

    March 17, 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

    Read More
    Troy

    You May Also Like

    Great little Sri Lankan mask

    October 14, 2015

    Rare Himalayan leather masks

    October 10, 2013

    Himalayan demon mask

    September 2, 2017
  • 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.

    Read More
    Troy

    You May Also Like

    Primitive Himalayan mask

    March 18, 2020

    Photo of Ganesha in use

    June 30, 2020

    Large, old Nepali mask

    November 26, 2020
  • 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).

    Read More
    Troy

    You May Also Like

    Carnival time is here

    January 16, 2018

    Strange masks from Basque country

    May 15, 2019

    Rottweiler fool’s mask

    April 14, 2019
  • 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

    Read More
    Troy

    You May Also Like

    Old Balinese mask

    May 17, 2019

    Unusual mask from Java

    January 26, 2014

    More about repros

    June 1, 2020
  • 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.

    Read More
    Troy

    You May Also Like

    Value of tribal masks from high to low

    October 13, 2018

    Tourist junk can be desirable

    December 30, 2013

    Janus head mask from Africa

    February 11, 2020
23456


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.

Archives

Masks of the World - 2025 ©