Q: Nate has sent me several emails with good photos of this carving he bought from a dealer in Goa. All the guy told him was that it was very old and worth a lot of money. I doubt if a mask like this comes from a prosperous ex-Portuguese colony on the West Coast of India. The big question is whether it’s an old tribal artifact or not. A: I have my doubts. But if you like your masks aged, you can’t do better than this one.
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Unusual African mask
Q: Any information on this mask? Origin, age, and purpose? Jordan, 1296 A: My first thought is quickly made tourist mask with no relevance to any culture. But those big red eyes with a large, single eye hole in between are very unusual. If I was cranking out tourist masks for the trade, would I make something like this? No, it’s too weird. So I can’t help you on origin, age or purpose. Maybe someone else can, or at least comment whether authentic or fake.
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Mexican Lucha Libre masks
This website is mostly about ethnographic masks that are used in celebration and ceremony. With Lucha Libre we are talking about something much different, and quite authentic. Caveat: the masks you see here are made for sale to fans who can’t spend a lot of money. The ones worn by the wrestlers are more expensive and can withstand lots of abuse. Masked wrestling is unique to Mexico. If you get to Mexico City… CMLL runs shows every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday night in Arena Mexico. CMLL always runs shows on those days, but they don’t announce who will be wrestling on those shows more than a week in advance. The shows are inexpensive,…
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History of Mexican masks
The first photo is a rare example of a wood mask used by Aztecs or some other indigenous tribe before the Spanish arrived in what is now Mexico. The few that exist today would be 500 years old. This one could also be Mixtec, is 6 5/8 inches tall, and is decorated with turquoise, black stone, shell and mother of pearl. From the Museum of Fine Art, Boston. Then I looked for some that display the Spanish influence that starts in the 1500s. The oldest one is from Northern Guatemala and the other– Southern Mexico. If you look at lots of Mexican masks, as I have, you will see that…
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Another unusual Balinese mask
Q: Purchased 02/19/2018 for $10.99. Raquel, 1293 A: Everything I just said to Brian applies to Raquel’s mask as well. On both we can see a slightly reduced quality typical of tourist masks. Those made for professional dancers are much finer… and more expensive. Most of these, both tourist and professional, come from either Mas or Singapadu, Bali, and are produced by hereditary carvers with excellent training. Please let us know who this guy is! C+
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Full Balinese mask
Q: I recently purchased this mask on eBay but it is not like any other Balinese mask I’ve found. I’m wondering if it really is from Bali and what character it represents if it is. Here is the listing url as well: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Hand-Carved-Balinese-Wooden-Mask/112799483992?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649 Brian, 1292 A: This is one I haven’t seen before. There are so many different characters in the traditional dance dramas. Sometimes the uncommon ones also show up in the tourist shops, such as yours did. Maybe someone will help us with its name, but probably you will have to do some searching on Google.
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Don’t worry about this “mask”
Q: Some abnormal events have occurred since bringing my mask home. Would like to know the history of this mask as soon as possible. Please… Spencer, 1291 A: You should be okay. It’s not a real mask. And remember that masks have spiritual power only in the culture that uses them. Carvings like this are meant to be sold at airports and tourist destinations. I get a lot of pictures of these souvenirs. Most of the new owners think they have bought a “mask” that has been used in a ceremony and might be worth some money. Of course, my answer usually disappoints them. I hope you are pleased instead. …
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Popular Japanese mask
Q: I just purchased a gorgeous Noh theater mask of what I assume to be a Hannya character. I was hoping I could get more information, an appraisal, etc. Give me a response and I’ll send you guys some photos. Cameron, 1290 A: I must charge for appraisals, however I usually include a letter grade that suggests value… and it is free. Your brand new Noh mask may not be the famous she devil. I’ve also posted another mask that looks more like her. There are several other characters that resemble Hannya. I couldn’t find one with black skin and white hair in my book. You could do a Google…
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Prison art of beverage pull tabs
There were some great masks on eBay in the late 1990’s. That’s when I bought this. It was made by someone with plenty of time– perhaps a prisoner. A few years later I sold it to a now-deceased mask lover who had a show called Masks at the James Cohan Gallery in NYC in 2008. I can’t help wondering where it is now. The larger photo with model may have been taken recently. The smaller one was taken by me and is on page 105 of Masks of the World by Ibold and Yohn. Bob, 1289 A
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Scar’s mask from The Lion King
This hugely successful broadway show tells the story of Simba, a young lion who is to succeed his father, Mufasa, as King of the Pride Lands; however, after Simba’s uncle Scar (Mufasa’s jealous younger brother), murders Mufasa, Simba is manipulated into thinking he was responsible and flees into exile. Don’t worry, it has a happy ending. The costumes were designed by Julie Taymor and Michael Curry. Theater masks don’t get any better than this. I believe you can purchase nice reproductions on eBay. Bob, 1288 A+
