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Masks of the World

Masks From Around the World

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  • Africa,  Oceania,  Unknown

    Oceanic Mask?

    November 15, 2021 / 1 Comment

    Q: Daniela ask: Unfortunately I don’t know anything about the mask. We bought it from somebody in Czech.                                                                                                                        

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    Troy

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    Nice West African mask

    March 7, 2018

    Ibo, Igbo or Igala from Nigeria

    July 17, 2013

    Pende Mbangu (sickness) mask

    March 3, 2020
  • Oceania

    Dayak Mask from Borneo

    September 5, 2021 / 4 Comments

    Q: I found this carved wood mask in a consignment store several years ago. It is 20 inches long, has an articulated mouth and holes along the open edge in back to hold bark strips or hair. There are no modern materials used, no wire or nails. Just wondering if you knew where it might be from.

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    Troy

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    Rare Micronesian mask

    August 20, 2016

    Tago mask from PNG

    February 7, 2017

    Old, worn primitive mask

    November 29, 2015
  • Oceania

    Uncontacted tribes are disappearing

    December 16, 2020 / No Comments

    Q:  The family member who gifted this was unsure if he bought it in PNG or perhaps Australia. Even if just a tourist item, I would love to know any information you could share, country, are they masks or shields, did the snake and waterfowl represent anything?  Robert, 1807 A:  We don’t often see masks like this any more. It has been made by a tribesman in a remote part of the Sepic River area of Papua New Guinea. I can tell it is one of his first masks for trading with white men. His choice of colors, designs and workmanship are a little off. Also, he did not attempt…

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    Bob Ibold

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    Ancestor mask from Papua New Guinea

    June 25, 2020

    Micronesian mask from Mortlock Islands

    September 4, 2019

    Carnaval mask, Bacolod, Philippines

    March 25, 2018
  • Oceania

    Gourd mask from East Timor

    November 18, 2020 / No Comments

    Q: I am unable to define the possible origin of this mask. Probably East Timor, Flores or the Malukus. Material is calabash, not coconut. Size 22 cm. It belonged to an old collection. Patrick, 1794 A:  Gourds can make excellent masks and are used by cultures in Europe, Asia, Africa, and all of the Americas.  This old example is beautifully done and in excellent condition. Patrick seems to know where it might have come from. I agree with him on East Timor. The are a number of indigenous groups there who do masks with this kind of simple decoration. And there are calabash-type gourds growing in that part of the…

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    Bob Ibold

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    The only Micronesian mask

    May 23, 2018

    25-in Ramu mask from PNG

    October 8, 2019

    Ask the Mask Man or professional appraisal

    June 2, 2019
  • Oceania

    Papua New Guinea mask

    October 20, 2020 / 1 Comment

    Q: What a face…Mexican? Alma. 1783 A: Your mask is from PNG, more specifically, the Northern Sepic River area. You can learn more this type of mask by going to https://masksoftheworld.com/25-in-ramu-mask-from-png/

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    Bob Ibold

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    Spectacular mask from the South Pacific

    February 19, 2016

    Mask collecting for the rich

    May 10, 2017

    Micronesian mask from Mortlock Islands

    September 4, 2019
  • Oceania

    Hat mask from Vanuatu in Solomon Is.

    September 29, 2020 / No Comments

    Last night I watched Antiques Roadshow and was surprised to see a mask similar to this one, which comes from Oceanic Arts Australia. Authentic tribal masks are seldom seen on TV shows, or anywhere else, for that matter. This beautiful older and used ceremonial mask is from the Namba People from the interior of Malekula Island in Vanuatu. In 1986 trips were made to Vanuatu to look at traditional art and culture. The people took us into their homes, fed us and gave us a chance to get to know them and make contacts with tradition artists preparing for ceremony. This beautiful hat mask came from the village of Venamboas…

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    Bob Ibold

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    PNG Yam Mask

    April 28, 2016

    Gourd mask from East Timor

    November 18, 2020

    Mudman mask from PNG

    July 27, 2016
  • Oceania

    Abelam yam mask from PNG

    June 25, 2020 / No Comments

    Q: Looking to ID this mask. The story is that it was brought back from somewhere in the Pacific Theater during or a little after WWII. It has a movable mouth (or lower jaw) and a tongue made up of some kind of rolled up material. Overall kind of beat up and moth eaten. Probably had some fur on it at some time and has a tail at the top. Kind of a rat shape to it. Overall length, not including the tail, is about 31″. Daryl, 1722 A: We are thinking this mask is from Papua New Guinea’s East Sepik Region. This is where the Abelam people live. A…

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    Bob Ibold

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    Moluccans scrimshawed bone mask

    March 7, 2018

    The fabulous Baining mask

    April 25, 2016

    The famous PNG mud man mask

    February 19, 2017
  • Oceania

    Ancestor mask from Papua New Guinea

    June 25, 2020 / No Comments

    Q: I inherited this mask and want to know more. Not sure where it was purchased, seems to be made of wood and quite large with strange swirls carved into the eyes. Mattie, 1721 A: Great ancestor mask from a Sepik River village in eastern PNG. Often these masks are made to be hung on the walls of the men’s meeting house. Notice that has no eye holes. Technically it is more like a religious sculpture. This carving has the distinctive features of the region, although the tongue is unusual. You might want to check out another one which also has a tongue hanging out: https://masksoftheworld.com/mask-from-sepik-river-png/ Unfortunately, I’m not certain…

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    Bob Ibold

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    Uncontacted tribes are disappearing

    December 16, 2020

    Excellent example of PNG art

    July 14, 2014

    Carnaval mask, Bacolod, Philippines

    March 25, 2018
  • Oceania

    Old Melanesian masks

    May 9, 2020 / No Comments

    The first mask is from Northern New Ireland, Papua New Guinea; the second is a Tago mask from Tami Island, PNG; and the third comes from Kamge village in the East Sepik Province of PNG. These are 3 of 17 outstanding masks that represent different cultural groups occupying the large part of the South Pacific called Melanesia. They are all from all from the Australia Museum listed below. You will surely recognize some of them in other famous museums and books. After West Africa, Melanesia has the richest assortment of highly artistic masks in the world. During the 19th century many great European artists were profoundly influenced by the folk…

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    Bob Ibold

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    The fabulous Baining mask

    April 25, 2016

    Matua mask from Oceania

    October 22, 2017

    Excellent mask from New Guinea

    May 24, 2015
  • Oceania

    Cool tourist mask from PNG

    March 25, 2020 / No Comments

    Q: You have seen this helmet mask back in 2010. I wonder if you have any further information on it since then. I bought it from a consignment shop on lay away…college student…little money. Mickey, 1678 A: I can’t remember that far back, but today I think your mask is an impressive carving from the Sepik River area of New Guinea. It is too creative to be considered a reproduction, and is tourist art at its best. Let’s hope there are some collectors and curators of Melanesian artifacts who would love a modern version of PNG traditional art. B

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    Bob Ibold

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    Dayak hudoq mask

    April 11, 2019

    Hat mask from Vanuatu in Solomon Is.

    September 29, 2020

    Woven yam mask from PNG

    March 18, 2018
123
Mask Value Code

A - high value*

B - collectible*

C - decorative art

D - low value

* A and B do not always imply higher dollar value. Most masks get a C or D, however we usually don't post them.

Recent Posts

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  • Jan 07, 2022 Indonesian Tiger Mask
  • Nov 15, 2021 Oceanic Mask?
  • Sep 05, 2021 Dayak Mask from Borneo
  • Aug 22, 2021 Nepalese Buddhist Mask

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