Q: We bought the two golden masks from a large online dealer last year for fifteen dollars each. Some research indicated that the black mask which we have had for over two years now was from Bali in Indonesia. But that is all we know. The large golden mask is seven and a half inches high by 6 inches wide.. I am attaching photos including the mask I already sent, and front and back views of the other two masks. Thanks for the prompt reply and your interest. Robert, 1426 A: I like all three of your masks, but this one, a female character from Topeng dance drama, is my favorite. It is a popular…
-
-
Mask from Timor, East Asia
The island of Timor gave rise to a distinctive tradition of dance masks whose precise origins and significance remain uncertain. What information exists suggests that many of the masks originated in East Timor. Portraying both male and female ancestors, they were worn by men during dances and other ceremonies, including celebrations of victory in war. When in use, the masks were typically painted, adorned with strips of hide or bristles representing facial hair, and worn with a headdress or hood that covered the head to further conceal the dancer’s identity. Some masks were made from perishable materials, but wood examples, such as this highly polished and deeply patinated work, were…
-
Lost People of the North
There were people in Alaska and Northern Canada before the Inuit and other Eskimos. They are called Tunit and are long gone. But they have left behind a great deal of artifacts. This very old mask is one of them. The following is from Passing Strangeness– a very interesting website. The first hints that there was once an ancient culture in Canada’s north came from the Inuit who have replaced them. Until modern times they used boulder weirs and caribou channels for hunting, and Inuit folklore says they’d been built by another people whom they called the Tunit. The Tunit themselves appeared in some stories as peaceful giants who would…
-
Siberian shaman’s metal masks
This is a flat piece of metal pounded into an old man’s face. Many holes dot the entire edge of the mask which could have been connected to some kind of decoration. It was found in the early 20th century in Evenk, a village of the transbaikal region of Siberia. The indigenous people living there are similar to Native Alaskans. It would have been used by a local shaman in ceremonies to cure illness, protect against danger and encouraging prosperity. 10 inches high. Traditionally, the term shamanism can be defined as a single system which includes a special outlook. It is aimed at the direct perception of the world, understanding…
-
Chilean Indian mask
Masks of various materials have been used by the Mapuche people for centuries. Numerous stone masks have been excavated from archaeological sites in and around Mapuche lands and can be presumed to be precursors to the Mapuche masks of wood and other materials made more recently. The stone pieces are believed to have been burial masks, but masks of wood, leather, and possibly silver are still used today in various ceremonial contexts. Small maskettes are sometimes employed by the machi in performing healing rituals. The Mapuche successfully resisted many attempts by the Inca Empire to subjugate them, despite the lack of nationwide organization. They fought against the Spaniards for over…
-
Spectacular Igbo mask from Africa
This masterpiece was carved in the North West Region of Nigeria in the late 19th or early 20th century out of one piece of wood. It is 23 inches tall. ● Rediscovered Masterpieces of African Art, Dapper Museum, 1987, p. 155 ● African Art in American collections, W.M. Robbins & N.I. Nooter, 1989, no. 677 ● Facing the Mask, Franck Herreman, Museum for African Art, New York, 2002, no. 30 You can read more about this famous mask in any of the above books. This mask is one of the most complex and carefully carved wood sculptures I have ever seen. Also read about the Igbo people and their art. There are over 500…
-
Small copy of ancient Japanese mask
Q: If possible I would like to know more about this mask. I bought it at a yard sale for next to nothing. It’s not a mask I can identify anything about, so any information would be appreciated. Specifically interested in what culture, location or time frame it comes from and if it is a recent replica, what style it is based on. Leander, 1421 A: The inspiration for our little souvenir is a Gigaku mask that was used in 8th century Japan with music and dance for the upper classes. This scaled-down copy was probably made 2000 years later as an inexpensive piece of wall decor. C And now,…
-
Hermit mask from Michoacan
Q: Could you please tell me if this mechanical eye mask is from Michoacán or Guatamala? I was told it is used in dance ceremonies. Is it old? Please advise. Paula, 1420 A: Paula says she does not collect masks. Yet, the experienced Mask Man reacted exactly the same as she did. That face at first reminded me of Guatemala, then I quickly realized it was a hermit in the Pastorela dance that is celebrated by the Tarascan people of northern Michoacan. It could also be a viejo (old man). Finally I looked at it more carefully and could tell it was old and used. A Mexican masks can be…
-
Old Bella Coola mask from the NWC
An Exceptional Northwest Coast Bella Coola mask British Columbia in the 19th century. Finely carved and quite old, with remains of paint, stabilized insect damage consistent with age and use. Old museum numbers on the back. Provenance: Private Collection, Leipzig, Germany. The price realized by the Cobb Auctioneers was $14,000. Here is some history: During the 1800s collectors and ethnographers from around the world came to the Northwest Coast of British Columbia to collect items of material culture from what they believed to be the dying races of people who lived there. This process transformed the meaning of ceremonial objects, such as masks, for the people who lived there. Masks…
-
Pale blue Javanese mask
Q: I would love some help with this mask. I picked it up in an antique/junk store in Maine. It was one of the higher priced items in the place. I paid $75 for it because I loved the look. The shop owner new nothing about it. It shows age, is made of a soft wood, and hand painted. Any info would be much appreciated. Steven, 1419 A: This female character mask has an unusual color combination that is quite pleasant. It appears to have been used and could be old. Look closely at the rear and you can see two holes that were used to hold a bite bar…
