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  • 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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    Old Himalayan mask

    April 25, 2017

    Great little Sri Lankan mask

    October 14, 2015

    Indian mystery mask

    June 22, 2017
  • 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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    Sardegna carnival mask from Italy

    August 16, 2018

    Fancy Venetian carnival mask

    November 3, 2016

    Chocalheiro mask from Portugal

    October 17, 2020
  • 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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    Good old or bad old?

    December 18, 2014

    Classic dance mask from Java

    May 23, 2017

    Sometimes repairs are a good idea

    December 30, 2015
  • 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

    You May Also Like

    Kuba nyet mask

    June 16, 2016

    Bwa rooster mask, Burkina Faso

    May 8, 2019

    White-faced African with little beak

    December 28, 2016
  • 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

    You May Also Like

    Jaguar mask from the Chiriguanos

    August 18, 2017

    Jaguar or leopard mask?

    May 12, 2016

    Peruvian Diablo mask

    June 27, 2018
  • 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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    Don’t worry about this “mask”

    February 19, 2018

    Mystery Monkey mask

    November 22, 2020

    Mask made from a turtle shell

    November 12, 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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    Animal mask of Amazon Indians

    January 30, 2018

    Jaguar mask from the Chiriguanos

    August 18, 2017

    Black Moreno from La Paz

    August 12, 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

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    Photos of old Navajo masks

    December 14, 2017

    Koryak mask from Siberia

    February 17, 2018

    Eskimo skin & fur masks

    December 9, 2020
  • Mexico

    Mexican mask with pointed cap?

    March 2, 2021 / 5 Comments

      Q:  I bought this mask at a online auction here in Switzerland. It was declared as antique Tyrolean mask. For me it looked more like Mexican? It is made of very light weight wood and rather small. The size is 43 cm x 14 cm. Thank you very much for your help. Kind regards from Zurich.  David, 1827A: This  mask looks  more  Mexican  to  me  as  well, though I can’t be sure. I haven’t seen a mascara with this kind of cap before. I hope some viewer will make a comment.  

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    Bob Ibold

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    You can collect decoratives

    November 21, 2020

    Mexican dance mask from Oaxaca

    May 1, 2019

    Mexican mask with interesting history

    August 5, 2018
  • Misc

    Rare stingray mask?

    February 26, 2021 / 1 Comment

    Q:  A friend gave me this mask when she was moving as I have always admired it.   It fits on top of your head rather than over the face.  It is about 21 inches long by 12 inches wide.  It looks like a manta or sting ray.  Any info?   Brad A:  I’m finally back to posting mystery masks. Yours is going to be difficult. I have never seen a stingray mask in my 50-year career of collecting. It is probably from someplace on the Atlantic Coast of West Africa. It seems to be new and and made for the tourist trade. But I can see in a river ceremony…

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    Bob Ibold

    You May Also Like

    Anubis, God of Embalming

    December 18, 2020

    Modern wall art

    August 30, 2016

    Mask for the Ijaw water spirit

    January 22, 2021
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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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