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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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    Citipati mask from Arunachal Pradesh, India

    January 11, 2020

    Rare, old Indian mask

    December 3, 2014

    Mask from somewhere in India

    September 10, 2015
  • 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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    Long nose mask from Baden-Württemberg

    December 12, 2016

    Those Germans know how to party

    March 18, 2014

    Turnips fly at the Jarramplas Festival

    January 22, 2015
  • 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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    Pale blue Javanese mask

    August 16, 2018

    Javanese Pentul mask

    December 27, 2020

    Bird mask from Indonesia

    October 25, 2014
  • 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

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    Mystery mask from the DRC

    October 1, 2019

    Chewa mask from Malawi, Africa

    April 9, 2018

    More on African masks

    June 19, 2020
  • 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

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    Indian mask from South America

    March 31, 2017

    This guy has quite a nose

    November 16, 2013

    Black man sticking his tongue out

    February 25, 2016
  • 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

    Read More
    Troy

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    Decorative or authentic

    August 30, 2015

    Where is this mask from?

    October 22, 2013

    Yao shaman’s mask

    August 3, 2018
  • 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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    Jaguar or leopard mask?

    May 12, 2016

    Art from the Amazon jungles

    September 15, 2013

    Metal monkey mask from Bolivia

    May 26, 2019
  • 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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    Lost People of the North

    August 22, 2018

    Native American Octopus mask

    October 19, 2017

    Could be colder in Alaska

    February 13, 2016
  • 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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    Old Mexican mask?

    July 27, 2016

    High-end Mexican mask

    September 29, 2014

    Azteca masks are amazing

    February 16, 2016
  • 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

    Mummers Parade in Philadelphia

    January 2, 2019

    The art of Paolo del Toro

    January 18, 2018

    Modern wall art

    August 30, 2016
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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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