Q: I wondered if you might be able to assist with sourcing a 20th Century Kamayura mask? My client was hoping to purchase a mask that looks exactly like the attached which is currently on exhibition in the Montreal Museum. I wondered if you might have any insight as to who might sell these Brazilian masks or if you might know of anyone who would create a custom mask? Any feedback or help is much appreciated! Antonia, 1437 A: I know about the Kamayura Indians who live around the Xingu River in the Amazon region of Brazil. The mask shown here could be from them, but I haven’t seen anything…
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What kind of mask is this?
Q: How much is an appraisal? I have a very large carving of what I believe is an antique Mexican Conquistador with blue glass eyes. I have spent over 5 hours online and haven’t found anything like it. So, time to turn to the experts. Thank you. Laurie, 1436 A: I asked her to send me some pictures. She did. The first bearded mask is the one she wants to buy. She also sent pics of other masks in the same collection. That is the second photo which shows 11 antiqued decoratives probably from Guerrero. The mask she wanted looked more like a fake Barbone (bearded guy} or possibly an…
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Where does this mask come from?
It comes from the Yare people of Northern Venezuela, close to the Caribbean sea. They were brought here as slaves and are of African descent, as are almost all Caribbeans. You can see this African influence in their music, dance, costumes and masks. Most Yare masks are made of papier mache and lots of colorful paint. This one is a typical parade mask from the Devils of Yare. In this folkloric festival, devotion is given to the patron saint Saint Francis of Paola, to the Blessed Sacrament and to Jesus Christ. The celebration starts Wednesday with a wake where fulías (a native music style) are played, décimas (native form of…
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Native American Apache Gaan Dancer Mask
This Apache Gaan dance mask consists of a black cloth head cover with small eye openings and metal outer ‘eyes’. The top tablita part of the dance mask is inventively made of corrugated cardboard with paint. On the lower portion is circular cotton cord with drops holding small feathers. This mask has definitely been danced. It is about 25 inches high. The Apache people are generally thought to be a single tribe of Native American’s, but in actuality, the Apaches are an assimilation of various Apachean tribes that are thought to be a subgroup of Athabaskans, migrating south from Canada and Alaskan regions. While most of these bands of Apache…
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This is a South American mask
Q: This mask was advertised on eBay as Mexican, but at 7 1/2″ wide & 11 1/2″ long, it is larger than most Mexican masks and made of a heavier wood. Maybe it’s a Latin American carnival mask or even an African mask. It fits the face perfectly but has no holes on the side to secure it to the face. I paid about $160. The paint looks vintage. Alicia, 1433 A: Your mask is from Ecuador. The hard wood and large, round eye holes make them easy to identify. It is made by the Quechua speaking Indians who live in the northern most parts of the Andes. This one…
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What is the value of a mask?
Q: I am inquiring on behalf of the owner of an art gallery in South Africa who has this mask in their collection. It was acquired from an informal trader. Not sure of price, but not more than a few hundred. Any info welcome. I only have one photo. Leigh, 1432 A: This looks like an old wooden mask from the Salampasu people who live in south-central Democratic Republic of Congo. Similar masks are often covered with small sections of sheet metal. This could be an old, used mask of considerable value, but without front, side and rear views at higher resolution, I can’t tell. I have seen many of…
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Haitian masks of wood, metal
Most Haitian masks are made of papier mache and painted. You can see some of them in the “Caribbean Category” of our archives. Ordinary people can afford some them for carnivals and other ceremonies. More expensive masks are made of steel taken from the side of oil barrels, same as the famous steel drums used by Haitian musicians. One of the masks shown here is steel. Almost all these are decorative and sold to the tourist trade. Others are carved wood and much older. Within the African Diaspora, Haitian culture is known for its strong connection to Yoruba, Congo, and other Cross river cultures which, over centuries, combined with influences…
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Red Korean old monk mask
This old monk mask is worn by a character in the Pyolsandae dance performed in Yangju, South Korea. It is10 inches tall, painted wood with black cotton hood, and in new condition. Extras are always made for tourists and collectors, and they are quite affordable. In the dance drama this character becomes infatuated with the pretty girl and tries to seduce her. He is an ugly old guy. The yangju pyeolsandae nori is a very popular folk dance in korean history. There are over 20 characters. Red, black, white and other bright colors help to identify the character, many of which appear to have deformed features. Most of them are…
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Ritual Mask of Mayan King
Archaeologists digging in Mexico’s Palenque ruins have uncovered the mask believed to represent the 7th-century Mayan ruler K’inich Janaab Pakal, commonly known a Pakal the Great — one of ancient Mexico’s most prolific figures. Having become King at the age of 12, under Pakal the Great’s 68-year-long reign of the ancient city of Palenque. As it prospered he instructed the building of its finest architecture. Palenque was a Mayan city state in southern Mexico dating from about 226 BC to AD 800. It is located near the Usumacinta River in the Mexican state of Chiapas.The newly discovered mask depicts Pakal in his old age at the end of his reign, a perfect rendition to accompany him…
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Mongolian Buddhist mask
Mongolia, once the second largest empire in the world, is north of both Tibet and China. So the prominent religion of Buddhism is shared with Tibet, and the Mahakala mask is also made for ceremony in Mongolia. This is a good example of the northern version of this famous mask. Can you tell the difference? It is very close, so I have archived this mask under both “East Asia” and “India & Himalayas.” Here is a little more history. Since time immemorial Mongolia has been occupied by tribes whose nomadic existence was dictated by the rugged topography and extreme climate of this vast region. More often fragmented than unified, these…
