Q: I recently became interested in collecting African masks and have brought few books on the subject. Unfortunately, I’m still pretty lost on dating and evaluating them. I saw a few masks at an estate sale and am wondering if you can give me some guidance. Thanks! David, 1367 A: This is a Bwoom mask from the Kuba people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.The Kuba are a large group of different tribes and their masks come in many different styles. The Bwoom is usually a helmet masks with much bead work. This one is low in beads and color, but is well designed and crafted. B-
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Chokwe Pwo mask
Q: Re-arranging my masks around on the walls, I realized I had no information on this mask. It was given to me by my husband as a gift many, many moons ago. He bought it from a dealer in Essex, Ct who sold masks. Only thing I can say…it’s light weight wood and appears to be in good condition. Would appreciate information. Mickey, 1366 A: Masks styled after the famous Pwo mask of the Chokwe tribe in Angola, West Africa, are very popular with collectors. Many are available on the internet for an affordable price. I would give yours a value of B-. The second photo is of a…
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Ancient Egyptian wood mask
Probably older than 1000 BC, this beautifully carved face mask comes from the inner coffin of a large ancient Egyptian sarcophagus. It would have been painted over with a layer of gesso and linen. All of this is long gone because of poor conditions in the tomb where it was buried. Very nicely mounted and photographed. Sometimes great aging can be very appealing. What I don’t like to see is masks that have been artificially aged to fool the collecting market. 1365
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Big bird from Borneo
This is a rough but colorful hudoq mask. In the Dayak language hudoq means hornbill bird. These famous masks are worn during agricultural ceremonies and to welcome important guests. Like so many ethnographic artifacts from around the world, the design is highly abstracted art that can only be understood by members of the culture. The colors are always a strong red, white and black. Collectors love to display them and they are always in demand. 1364
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Bobo mask with beak and horns
Q: I bought this rather large masks at a flea market where an African man was selling several masks from his van. It is around two feet long. I paid fifty dollars for it, but now am wondering if I made a smart purchase or not. Any opinions? Fred, 1363 A: This is a reproduction of mask that the Bobo people of Burkina Fasso made for sale to exporters or tourists. It has been artificially aged and is recently made. Fifty dollars is a fair price. My knowledge of West African traditional art is limited so I can’t explain why it would combine the features of an antelope and a…
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Old Dogon masks from Mali
This Dogon mask representing a rabbit is about 40 years old. I’m not sure about the second one.The Dogon people have created more than eighty mask types to represent characters in their cosmic myths. They are worn in large numbers in funeral dances. The Dogon use such dances to lead the homeless souls of the deceased to their final resting places in the world of spirit, where they become part of the ancestor realm. Certain masks act out stories in addition to dancing. An example of this is the dyommo mask (rabbit) which performs with the dannana mask (hunter). The hunter pretends to hunt the several rabbit masks performing with…
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Ice hockey goalie’s mask
Many people collect them for looks or because they are avid sports fans.Other people collect all kinds of protective masks, in fact, we have on this site a category for these. What fascinates me is that this kind of safety equipment is also meant to intimidate opponents. Goalies Bernie Parent and Pelle Lindbergh were famous Philadelphia Flyers who introduced the very scary fiberglass face mask. This one was probably wore by Pelle. Others were a little different and often colorfully painted.
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Samurai metal face mask
Solid metal masks were used by the samurais to protect their face in combat. Along with a large helmet and armor over all of his body, the warrior was well protected. A colorful and rather frightening appearance was also important. The superb set of full-body armor from the 18th century is the second photo. Its facial armor is not the same as the close-up. I will categories this mask in both the East Asia and Protection categories. Beautiful work! Japanese folk art, from masks to clay pots, has always been the best in the world… in my humble opinion.
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Rare Cora mask from Mexico
Q: I bought this mask in Mexico while living there. Story I was told is It is used in a celebration where it is worn and then thrown in a bonfire. It is made out of paper and clay and has a small skull with horns on the forehead of this unspecified animal. I forgot which state of Mexico it comes from. I mostly collect abstract masks from Mexico, regardless of their market value. Marco, 1359 A: Your bonfire story is true. The Cora people are supposed to destroy there papier mache masks after the Holy Week ceremonies in the state of Nayarit of northern Mexico. Because of this tribe’s…
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Real masks vs. decorative carvings
Q: I received this mask from a friend who found it, essentially in the garbage, while doing demolition work after a large flood. It is approximately 30″ x 12″ at the widest part. I have a general interest in artifacts from different parts of the world, particularly West Africa and Latin America (Amazonia in particular). Mike, 1358 A: Quite a few decorative carvings come to me for identification each month. Yours is one of the more attractive ones, so I decided to make an exception and post a non-mask. People with little knowledge of tribal art enjoy them, but our viewers are collectors who avoid tourist souvenirs in favor of…
