Q: I have a hobby and find treasures so to speak for fun and have acquired a few masks. They are from an avid collector who passed away and I bought his items. Most were signed and I have kept my favorites. This particular mask is missing 3 rings from around the neck, but could it be an African womanhood initiation type mask? Kathleen, 891 A: Most of Kathleen’s masks are of high quality. I picked this one to share because it is from the Yoruba people, a very large ethnic group of Nigeria as well as Benin in West Africa. She thought it might be a Bundu helmet mask…
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Punu mask from Gabon
Q: I was given this mask, and several others, by my 87 yr old mom who has traveled extensively over her lifetime. There is a little paper inside the mask with ‘Gabon’ written on it. Sophie, 890 A: From the Punu people of Gabon, this is one of the most famous maiden-style masks found in West Africa. These white-faced masks represent the spirit of an ancestor from the after world and were often used by stilt dancers for funeral rituals. They are known for their elegant features, forehead scarification patterns and elaborate coiffures. The white face and eyes of these Punu masks look Oriental to many people. You can find…
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Rare Phi Ta Khon from rural Thailand
Q: I lived in Thailand for many years and I recently went back to see friends. On the trip I went to Dan Sai where the Phi Ta Khon festival is held. I purchased 10 masks and supporting costumes from the owners and creators themselves. I was told this is the rarest mask as only one animal is made at any given time. I’m in love with the art work on this. These masks aren’t usually offered to tourists as it’s just a sleepy village in the middle of nowhere but I’m lucky to know locals. It’s absolutely huge at 1meter in height by 40cm X 45 width and depth.…
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Decorative African mask
Q: I bought this mask for $100 at an estate sale. The owner was a military veteran stationed in Africa near Mali in the 1960s. It is made of wood, hair, 12 inches by 18 inches. The 2 horns in head are carved with a face. The weight is 6 lbs. Nate, 888 A: I think it is a nice mask for the wall, and it has lots of African features. But it has been made for the tourist/export market, not for use. Tourist masks like this can be fine for decoration. But real masks– the ones that are actually worn in native cultures– are often better looking and always…
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Protective masks are intimidating
This old Kendo mask from Okinawa, Japan, is now on a mask collector’s wall. Of course it is made to protect the fencer, but it also has a strong presence that is designed to worry the opponent. In case you aren’t familiar with the sport, Kendo is one of Japan’s martial arts that employs techniques of fencing based on the two-handed sword of the samurai. Kendo is now a system for mental and physical training practice using bamboo swords. It makes use of a face mask and a uniform of quilted cloth panels. On page 168 of our new book, Masks of the World, we start chapter 13, which is…
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Used skull mask
Q: I am enclosing front and back photos of the masks. I bought them from a trader/trapper friend in Noel, Missouri. I believe he had traded for or purchased them out west somewhere. We have had them hanging on our log cabin interior wall for about 25-30 years. I am now downsizing/moving and am not planning to keep them. Carol, 886 A: You have a nice group of Mexican masks, some of which are decorative and others are real and actually used. So I’ll show our readers your skull mask which I like particularly. Tons of skull masks are made for the many Day of the Dead celebrations and for…
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Lombok face mask
Q: Since aprile 2015 me and my wife are living on Bali, Indonesia. While exploring the island we’ve met a lot of people and shops with some authentic stuff – statuettes, pictures, dishes and different kind of masks. We are decided to find and sell masks for designers and collectors. Also I can try to find something very special for you here on Bali. Demid, 885 A: Most of the masks we see from Lombok (a large island to the East of Bali and Java) are those very long and narrow carvings with colorful paint jobs. Actually, those are not real masks but are decorative wall art for the tourist…
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African mask with no mouth
Q: Mask itself is 13.5 x 8 x 4.5″ and came from an estate. The person purchased the mask in mid 1970’s from what appears to be a good quality dealer, based on the paperwork I also found. Thanks, Bob! Alan, 884 A: This is a rarity– a West African mask with no mouth. Exactly what culture it is from and what it is for, I have no idea. From the headdress down, all of the features remind me of different tribes, but from below the nose there is nothing. I hope one of the African art collectors will make a guess. This is something special, even if it turns…
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Small PNG mask in nice condition
Q: I need to know what kind of mask it is! I bought it in a street market in Spain and haven’t yet found any information about it! Thanks in advance. It is 12 in in height, not counting the accessories. Rafael, 883 A: It is definitely from Papua New Guinea and looking very good.
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Korean masks stand out
Q: Can you tell me the origin of these masks? There are two. Richard, 882 A: Even though the photo of this Korean mask is low is resolution and taken at too much of an angle, it shows one of the less common characters in the Yangu Pyeolsandae Nori which is the most popular folk performance in there.
