• Africa

    Ekoi animal skin masks

    The Ekoi-speaking peoples (also called Ejagham) are best known for their large, skin-covered masks, which may have one, two or even three faces, and for their smaller headpieces, which represent a head or an entire figure. In the old days human skin was said to be used by the Leopard Society members who used the masks in their rituals. These skin-covered helmet-masks are unique in Africa. They can only be found in the Cross River region of southeast Nigeria and a part of Cameroon. Unfortunately, we don’t see nice ones like this on the market often.  Bob, 1067   Save

  • Guatemala

    Sad Tecun Uman mask

    Q:  This mask with a mustache is made from a very heavy type of wood and has two glass eyes. It is almost 9 inches long and 7 1/4 wide. If it interests you to post, feel free to include it on your site.  Glenn, 1066 A:  Tecun Uman is the famous leader of the Mayan army that almost defeated the Spanish conquerors.  General Pedro Alvarado killed him in combat. Wikipedia describes him briefly, but there is much more. If you go to Categories/Guatemala on the right and scroll down to #808 you’ll see a much different version. Neither of these carvings are particularly good, but Tecun Uman would be…

  • Native America

    Mississippian bone gorget

    Q:  Of course this mask is Inuit and not Cherokee.  The fellow I’d mentioned previously, had gotten confused.  I’ve not seen one of these masks made with bone, like snow goggles.  My guess in age is the 1800’s?  Are the line markings on the back suggesting a spirit leaving, through the holes, to the spirit world?  I wonder what the markings around the eyes signify. It is 6 1/4″ high. What is your opinion?  PJ, 1065 A:  Gorgets are a Native American art form of polished, carved shell or bone pendants worn around the neck. The gorgets are frequently engraved, and are sometimes highlighted with pigments or pierced with openings.…

  • Europe

    Long nose mask from Baden-Württemberg

    Q:  Here are some photos of a “Langnase” carnival mask from Elzach, Germany.  This one is not old, but is made for use.  Aaron, 1064 A:  I just posted a mask from Aaron (actually two from Lombok) a week ago, which means I’m breaking my own rules again. But his acquisitions are always worth sharing with others. This one is great. It looks like it might be a Scaramouch or a Plague Doctor from the famous carnival of Venice, Italy. But instead, it’s from a much different culture in southwest Germany. Save Save Save

  • Mexico

    Nice old Mexican man

    Q:  Per your request are the attached pictures. I don’t know anything further than what was in my ad. Antique, Turn of the Century, circa 1900-1920s Ethnographic, hailing from Mexico Thick patina, multiple layers of paint, quality craftsmanship Made of what appears to be an oversized piece of cedar Depicting a Caucasian Spaniard Larger than most at: 15″ x 8″ x 6 1/2″ in depth   I’d love to know the character. The mask is larger than normal, and does have notable holes around the top that indicate something once was attached up there such as hair or otherwise.  Nate, 1063 A:  Masks like this are hard to find, so it’s great…

  • East Asia

    Japanese Iki-Ningyo mask

    Q:  I first came upon these while researching Noh masks in museums in Europe. I later discovered other examples mostly in association with Asian antique dealers and auction houses. They are frequently identified as “iki-ningyo” masks but are also identified incorrectly as noh or gigaku masks. I have tried to find these same sort of objects in Japan, through Japanese-language google searches and websites. No luck. The closest association (though still quite dissimilar) are iki-ningyo heads. No masks. There is a reference in Alan Scott Pate’s Japanese Dolls: The Fascinating World of Ningyo, but I can find no mention of masks. My guess is that these types of works were…

  • Bali & Java

    Little Rangda mask

      Q:  Can you please tell me something about this mask? It measures 11cm x 11cm, with the fabric tongue adding 20cm extra. It came from the Indonesian family of my wife. Many thanks in advance.  Herman, 1061 A:  Technically this is not a true mask. It is half the size and was not made to be worn, at least, not on a face. There are no eye holes or straps. We know that some cultures use small “masks” to put on their houses as a protective omen, hang from a belt, tourist souvenir, etc. Do the Balinese people use small Rangdas (a very famous dance drama character) for anything…

  • Bali & Java

    Real masks from Lombok

    Q:  Attached are the old Lombok masks I told you about.  These are from the Sasak people and are probably meant for Topeng dance dramas.  One is a Raksa demon, the other I don’t recognize.  Aaron, 1060 A:  We hardly ever get to see the real masks actually used by the people of Lombok, Indonesia. They are so different from those over-decorated faces the island’s tourist industry produces.  A

  • South America

    Ecuador pig mask

    Q:  This is another one of the exciting masks Kathleen discovered in the storage unit contents she won at auction early this year.  As you can see, her three photos of the pig are quite good. Otherwise, the only thing she could tell me was that the pig’s ears were real.  1059 A:  Look at the front, side and rear views of the mask. You can see that it has been used a lot and repainted. Good photography can be so helpful. The Quechua-speaking Indians in the Andes Mountains running through Ecuador have been practicing masquerade for centuries. Their masks are carved out of heavy hardwood and the eye holes…

  • Misc

    Masks by James Ensor

    Although James Ensor (1860-1949) is most well known for his paintings which have influenced both expressionism and surrealism, many of these paintings contain images of masks. Heidi Leitzke, Lancaster’s Public Arts Manager, recently told me this. You can find some beautiful papier mache masks that were made by him. These two are from Google Images. It’s possible that these were modeled after items in the curiosity shop Ensor’s family ran, right beneath his studio. I would also suggest that you read “Chapter 8–Modern America” of Masks of the World by Robert Ibold. Though 74 different masks are pictured and discussed in this chapter, there is one that seems similar to…