Q: I got this deer mask online where it was described as African, however I’m fairly certain it’s Mexican. The main portion is carved wood with attached ears and antlers. The antlers appear to be modified tree branches. I’d like to know your opinion. Dan, 1304 A: You’re right, and I think you picked out a good one. This deer mask is well made and in good condition. Deer characters show up in the dances of several different ethnic groups and locations in Mexico. You should be able to pin this down, but it might take some effort. How much did you pay for it?
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Japanese mask festival
The little Goryo Shrine in Kamakura puts on a small but unique festival where the participants wear masks which are over two centuries old. The festival is held in honor of the enshrined spirit of Kamakura Kagemasa, a famed samurai warrior of the 11th Century popularly known as Gongoro. You will love this video on YouTube. Many different kinds of masks are paraded. I think the one here is an old mask called Menkake Gyoretsu. Enjoy.
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Batak mask from Sumatra
Batak is a collective term used to identify a number of closely related Austronesian ethnic groups predominantly found in North Sumatra, Indonesia who speak Batak languages. The term is used to include the Karo, Pakpak, Simalungun, Toba, Angkola, and Mandailing which are related groups with distinct languages and customs. Well carved masks like this will show up in other parts of Indonesia as well.
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Ville or Yombe from the DRC
Q: Please share these images with Bob of African masks that we saw at an art opening in Cincinnati on Friday evening. (This one was priced at $1000, according to the label.) John, 1301 A: Here’s a nice find– a Nganga Diphomba that comes from the Southwest part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is a female version, but of course, it would be worn by a man. The character’s purpose is to reveal the reason for an accident, illness or death. I think it is well designed, colored and accessorized. For a mask like this you must determine whether it is an excellent reproduction or an authentic artifact.…
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Lipiko mask from East Africa
I love these big helmet masks. It’s a 10-inch-high Lipiko of the Makonde people from Tanzania or Mozambique. It would be kept in a small hut behind the village elder’s home and shown at feasts or during initiation ceremonies. Represents a person of importance to the village for one reason or another– flattering or otherwise. They are well known for their facial scarifications and lip-plugs. The hair is real, probably from a barber shop. Still popular in culture, you can easily find them, often at a reasonable price. This one is an especially nice example that was recently sold at Sothebys. Please blow up the photo and tell me how…
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Japanese Kyogen mask
Here’s a Japanese carved wood mask that comes from the Asian Ethnographic Collection at the American Museum of Natural History. I especially like it because the design is strong while the colors are weak. Kyogen is the comic interlude between the serious dramas of Noh theater. Kyogen characters are homespun and funny. Japanese people love to display these masks in their homes and give them as gifts. This one is old and belongs in a museum.
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Tsimshian cedar mask from NWC
Q: I believe you may have used my King Island mask in your book. You were impressed with it front and back. In any case I just bought a mask and would like you to look at it. It was on eBay and I made an offer as he sent an appraisal letter. Not sure what to think about it and wanted another set of eyes to look at it. Thank you, Jim, 1298 A: I question whether this mask is from the late 19th century or was ever used in ceremony. Appraisals like the one you got are meant to please the customer. Accuracy is not guaranteed. Regardless, this…
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Primitive mask purchased in Goa
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,…
