Q: I just have a quick question about mask storage. I have a small collection of African and Indonesian masks and was wondering about the best way to store them for long term preservation. Do you have any suggestions? Hang them? Put them in boxes? I’d appreciate your feedback. Annabelle, 1027 A: My choice would be to hang them on the wall, especially if the air in your home is fairly well regulated. This way they are easy to inspect and occasionally dust. Best of all, you’ll love the way lots of masks hanging close together can have a decorative effect. Here’s what I did with part of my Mexican…
-
-
Him and her masks from Puebla
Q: My husband purchased these two Mexican masks, a male and female, online. They did not come with any information other then an old label on the back of the female mask stating Puebla. They seem to be quite old, worn thru in one area on a cheek, and with old repairs to splits. Can you help with information? Kim, 1026 A: This is an unusual pair… both the blue color and underneath-the-eye sight holes are uncommon. But they were made by the same carver somewhere in the Sierra de Puebla Mountains. Definitely old and used. Personally, I love the way they look together. You should purchase a book…
-
Elaborate Dominican masks
The Carnival occurs every weekend in February in the town of La Vega. The Dominican carnivals are supposed to be the first ones celebrated in the New World (even predating the more famous ones in New Orleans and Rio de Janeiro). La Vega is the third biggest city in the Dominican Republic with a long history dating back to the time of Christopher Columbus. The first Dominican Carnival goes back to the 16th century. The Spanish would let their slaves have some fun for a day. The Spanish, however, were very religious and needed the festival to have some sort of religious significance so it became a battle of good…
You May Also Like
Puerto Rican art mask
Junkanoo mask from the Bahamas
Boruca mask in need of fix up
-
The Mask Man needs help
Q: any info you can give me on this mask i would appreciate… i collect african masks but i have never come across one like this….. it is aprox 17 inches top to bottom, 11 inches wide. Thank you for your help. Shaun, 1024 A: Though it seems large, with the cushion on the rear it will fit well on the top of an adult head. The dancer can see through the open mouth. It could be a tourist mask… or it could be real. I just don’t know. Please write in with your comments. We now have two comments from readers who at least agree that this is…
-
Buying masks can be tricky
Q: I purchased a hand carved wooden mask in a lot at auction. It appears quite sinister. I am not well versed in masks but after a little research it looks similar to masks from Indonesia (Bali). My wife detests it and doesn’t want me bringing it in our house. Can you assist me in identifying this mask? John, 1023 A: It is a character from the traditional dance dramas of Indonesia, probably made somewhere on the main island of Java, west of Bali. Most serious collectors, such as myself, would agree with your wife. The mask was quickly carved and painted to begin with, then, purposely or accidentally, ruined.…
-
Good books about masks
I often promote my new book, Masks of the World, on this blog. But it’s not the only important book for people who are interested in all kinds of masks. Here are six more that are still in print, with my short comment on each… Masks- Faces of Culture by John Nunley This should be your first choice. It’s big, beautiful, and fascinating to read. The Letts Guide to Collecting Masks by Timothy Teuten After 26 years in print, this inexpensive book can still be a big help to beginning collectors. Masks and the Art of Expression by John Mack Almost as good as John Nunley’s big book. Musee International…
-
The scary Buso from Hungary
Q: I just returned from a trip where I bought several masks. This one is from Gyorgy Prokai from Mohacs. Unlike my other Buso masks I have aquired, this one has the full sheep’s leather hood and is fairly heavy. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this mask. Aaron, 1021 A: The Busójárás is an annual celebration of the Croats living in the town of Mohács, Hungary, held at the end of the Carnival season, ending the day before Ash Wednesday. The celebration features Busós (people wearing traditional masks) and includes folk music, masquerading, parades and dancing. We’re always appreciative of the wonderful artifacts you collect and are willing to share…
-
Igbo mask
Q: A friend of mine gave me this mask, said it was given to him by a client from Guinea. I am curious where in Africa this may be from and any symbolism. Thanks, Yudith, 1020 A: It looks like a mask from the Igbo people of Nigeria. You will see many that look similar. Igbo is one of the largest ethnic groups in Africa, but they are far away from Guinea. I like the way the tear marks are large and circular, and the narrow, double crown fits so well between the two. It appears to be old, but probably isn’t. Tourists and collectors like to think a…
-
Something else different
I recently posted a Songye spirit figure (#1012, Aug 27) to remind our collectors that there are other types of African traditional art that would fit well in their collections. Now I’m posting a Kota reliquary figure. Collectors who like African masks often display these as well. The Kota people live in Gabon in west-central Africa. Along with several closely related groups, they are renowned for creating distinctive spirit figures that watch over reliquary baskets containing the bones of important ancestors. The face of this reliquary figure is dressed with sheet brass, a precious material that has the power to deflect malevolent forces. It is tacked down with flat, hand-wrought…
-
Another wonderful mask from Candelario
Q: And here is a photo of the newer masks he was making at the time (90’s) with his sons. I probably have some more in a box somewhere… Hope they are of use. Chris, 1018 A: Please check out blog #898 which was posted Jan 23, 2016. You can recognize the style and creativity of Don Herminio Candelario from Suchitlan, Colima. His masks are usually made for the local dancers, and though they represent different characters including many animals, they are always colorfully different from the masks made by other carvers. Like any great artist, Don Herminio has his own style. This much artistic freedom is rarely on display…
