Q:  I bought this one from you a few years back. It has a chip broken off on the back. My guess is my cleaning service might be responsible for that…. Can’t be seen from the front.  Mark, 986 A:  Called an Okoroshi, this handsome mask represents a young woman from the Igbo people of Nigeria. Her coiffure in three parts is composed of rolled braids. But what is really special is her twisted smile. You rarely see one this amusing. Danced at the Okoroshi masquerade during the rainy season, is the opposite of the dark ugly males. I love it.  B+

Q:  I bought this mask for $10 from the Berner’s Auction Gallery in Springfield Ohio. I cannot identify it and believe it may be an Indonesian or Ghanian copy. It measures approximately 18″ long and has cowrie shells and beads in addition to the pigments. Could you help me identify it? Thank you so very much.  Irene,985 A:  This mask from the Kuba people in the Democratic Republic of Congo is generally called a nyet. Horns were added to a mask for the image of power and strength. It has a nice colorful appearance and is further embellished with beadwork and cowries. I think the masks is quite desirable even…

Q:  This was my Father’s and I have no idea where he got it. He had several other masks and pieces of art that were definitely just decoration. This one is different from the rest which raised my curiosity level. Rather small in size but it does fit over my face.  Gary, 982 A:  Your mask is called a Kpelie and comes from the Senufo people of Ivory Coast. These refined face masks represent women, are danced by men, and are usually associated with the Poro association. Called “Beautiful Lady” or Kpelie, they come with many variations, with rich and complex symbolism. There are other Kpelies in the blog archives.…

Q:  Thank you so much for providing this service! I received this mask from a wealthy family as a parting gift. I was only told that it was purchased while they were abroad. They are certainly not the type of people who would appreciate any questions about the gift, but I’d love to know more about it for insurance purposes as well as my own edification.  Karen, 977 A:  Collectors often refer to the commercial masks and other carvings designed for the tourist trade as “airport art.” Though this is a derogatory term, there are some where the artistic qualities are appealing to most tourists and even some collectors. This type…