Here we have a yam mask from the Abelam people of Maprik, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea. It is mid 20th century, but the wood carving and colorful natural pigments are still in good condition. It is 11.5 inches high. Yams are the most important crop in PNG. This design is a carved replica of a bird of paradise and it is very common for the yam ceremonies. There are woven yam masks that are much different. I found this yellow beauty at the Morgan Oakes Gallery.
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4 Jamaican Jonkonnu dancers
John Canoe or Jonkonnu (pigeon English) has a very long tradition as a folk festival, incorporating both African and European forms. The Jonkonnu Festival is secular in nature and its performance at Christmas time is merely historical. From as early as the beginning of the 18th century masked and costumed performers have paraded the streets of Jamaica most often at Christmas time, but also at state functions, receiving money and food in return for their performances.These photos look very African to me.
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Protective mask for paintball
Many sports, law enforcement and military use protective masks. They can be very scary to look at, which is done intentionally. Naturally, there are people who collect them. This one is for the sport called paintball where teams shoot at each other with powerful airguns and rubber ball ammunition. No one is supposed to get hurt in the face. This is called an Invert Helix Thermal Paintball Mask and it looks better when used because the little cap covers all of the head. You can easily buy a new one for $30.
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Old khon mask
Q: I’ve just found this mask. It looks like a khon mask but from where? Burma or India? Have you some idea about this? Eric, 1314 A: I’ve never seen a kohn mask from either Burma or India, so I assume it is an old example from Thailand. Sometimes they are danced, but they are also displayed in holy places. Life sized, it is made from layers of papier-mache and plaster. Gold leaf and colored glass and jewels are applied along with some paint. Because of its age I think you should do more research. This might be of interest to serious collectors. A
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Maranquilla mask for Carnaval
This high quality mask of a woman belongs to the Ruth Lechuga collection. You can also see it on page 37 of her famous book, Mask Arts of Mexico. It is a carnival mask from Papalotla,Tlaxcala, Mexico. The maker, Enrique Mendez Juarez, is a well trained professional santero who also carves statues for churches. His masks cost more than most Mexicans can afford. Carefully carved out of wood and painted, the eyes are glass surrounded with false eyelashes.
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Expensive and cheap Chi Waras
Bamana carved wooden Chi Wara headdress features an abstract motif of a male antelope. There is also a female version that looks much different. The first photo shows an expensive version of the male from Sotheby’s with very fine carving. The second Chi Wara is much more quickly made and for some reason doesn’t have a penis. Both come from Mali and are handsome in design. You can get the cheaper one for less than $300 on eBay. Please enlarge the two photos and you can easily see why the first Chi Wara would get an A, and the other one a B on our value code.
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Hood masks from WW1 & 2
The first hood mask is from WW1 and was probably made for civilians. The second photo of three women in new masks is from WW2. Both are British in origin. There are a surprising number of collectors who are fascinated with gas masks. Unusual ones like these are rare, but most gas masks are easy to find and inexpensive. You can find more about them in the Protection section under “Categories.” Bob, 1311
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Moluccans scrimshawed bone mask
Our bone mask from the Moluccas Islands is beautiful with its subtle carving and unusual shape. The Moluccans, located North of Timor and East of Sulawesi, became part of Indonesia in 1950. Wish I could tell you more about this unique mask. Though “Ask the Mask Man” is mostly about telling new owners what they have, I frequently add photos that I find interesting. Then I categories each mask and add it to one of 15 groups which you can easily access. I hope “Categories” has become a useful research tool for some of you collectors.
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Nice West African mask
Q: This African mask measures a total of 14 inches tall by 8 inches wide. I bought it last year at an online auction for about $26.00. I liked its whimsical expression and signs of vintage usage. Do you have any opinions? Thanks again, Diane, 1309 A: You may have scored a real winner. This is a very nice Aduma mask from Gabon. Yes, the blue diamond shape and the single horn are things I’ve never seen before. (Maybe that’s why some other collectors past it over.) It is a classic design that looks like it’s been used a lot. I would suggest that you get it appraised by someone…
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Ancient clay mask
Q: The lady that I got this mask from for ten dollars last year said that she believed it originally came from China. It measures six inches in diameter. It is made of clay, and a friend who did ceramics told me that it was fired at a lower temperature than that of a modern kiln. Thank you for looking. Fred, 1308 A: Perhaps it is an Asian piece, but I think it is more likely from Mexico or further South. That is not based on any expertise. It is just the fact that I see more “ancient” ceramics from the new world than the old. Sadly, most of…
