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Masks of the World

Masks From Around the World

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  • Oceania

    Mask from Sepik River, PNG

    January 25, 2016 / 1 Comment

    Q:  I came across this really interesting mask at an estate sale. They thought it might be Alaskan in origin. After i brought it home and did a little research of my own, i came across your website and from what i can tell i think it may be an example of a PNG Sepik River area mask.  Can you confirm or debunk this based on these pictures, and maybe give me an idea of how old you think it might be?  Eric, 899 You did your homework!  But now I want you to do more and try to find out how old this piece is. Mask made before the…

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

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    The only Micronesian mask

    May 23, 2018

    Papua New Guinea mask

    October 20, 2020

    Carved wood lion mask from Asia

    July 6, 2015
  • Oceania

    Lombok face mask

    January 7, 2016 / No Comments

    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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    Bob Ibold

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    Spectacular mask from the South Pacific

    February 19, 2016

    Masks from Fiji

    April 6, 2018

    Uncontacted tribes are disappearing

    December 16, 2020
  • Oceania

    Small PNG mask in nice condition

    January 6, 2016 / No Comments

    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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    Bob Ibold

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    Old, worn primitive mask

    November 29, 2015

    Matua mask from Oceania

    October 22, 2017

    The famous PNG mud man mask

    February 19, 2017
  • Oceania

    Old, worn primitive mask

    November 29, 2015 / 2 Comments

    Q:  I recently purchase this mask in an online auction. It was listed at “Oceanic carved wooden effigy”. Any other information would be greatly appreciated. The braided hemp rope is included (through eye sockets).  The size it is 15″H X 10″W 4.5″D.  Dale, 864 A:  This mask is so damaged I can’t identify it. All we have to go on is that someone said they thought it was Oceanic.

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    Bob Ibold

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    The fabulous Baining mask

    April 25, 2016

    Timorese mask

    December 30, 2018

    25-in Ramu mask from PNG

    October 8, 2019
  • Oceania

    Rough, old Timorese mask

    September 25, 2015 / 1 Comment

    Q: I acquired this mask on eBay. The seller told me it had been collected from an abandoned hut in East Timor and was circa 1800. That sounded a little romantic to me but it certainly looks very old and has a great character. Does it look Timorese to you? Mark, 842 A: Submitting two Mystery Masks in a row is something I try to avoid, but I must make an exception here.

    Read More
    Troy

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    Modern Maori woman’s chin tattoo

    November 28, 2017

    Lombok face mask

    January 7, 2016

    Sepic River area mask

    June 15, 2016
  • Oceania

    Carved wood lion mask from Asia

    July 6, 2015 / No Comments

    Q:  The mask I am sending pictures of is something I picked up in Bali a few weeks ago while on vacation. What do you think? It looks like it may have been used and had been hung for quite a while. By the way, I live and teach in Vientiane Laos and picked up a mask a few years ago at an expat bazaar. What should I be looking for in Laos and northern Thailand?  Lance, 802 A:  I have seen masks like this before but need some help in identifying the place of origin.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Mask collecting for the rich

    May 10, 2017

    Carnaval mask, Bacolod, Philippines

    March 25, 2018

    Abelam yam mask from PNG

    June 25, 2020
  • Oceania

    Excellent mask from New Guinea

    May 24, 2015 / 1 Comment

    Q:  I just bought this at auction but know nothing about it. Any ideas about it would be appreciated. I’m interested in starting a small collection of masks.  Steve, 783 A:  This would be an excellent start to a collection. It is a very well made example of an ancestor mask from the Lower Sepic River area of Papua New Guinea.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

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    Tago mask from PNG

    February 7, 2017

    Who knows this wild man?

    May 2, 2014

    Abelam yam mask from PNG

    June 25, 2020
  • Oceania

    African woven mask or PNG?

    February 7, 2015 / 2 Comments

    Q:  I purchased this basket-woven mask this week at an estate auction in Plainfield, NH, and have no idea of where it is from or its history. Any ideas?  Karen, 737 A: At first your woven mask reminded my of a yam ceremony mask from Papua New Guinea, but the structure of the rear looks more like something from central Africa.

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    Bob Ibold

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    Carved wood lion mask from Asia

    July 6, 2015

    Moluccans scrimshawed bone mask

    March 7, 2018

    Sepic River area mask

    June 15, 2016
  • Oceania

    South Pacific Surprise

    December 10, 2014 / 1 Comment

    Q:  I found this in an antique store. They say its from Africa but it looks closer to New Guinea to me. I can’t find anything online. Could you help me out. It is approximately 9″ wide X 10″ high to edge of weaving. l collect almost any masks that are fairly old and not tourists models. I also carve NW Native Masks.  Scott, 709 A: You are absolutely right about New Guinea, but I’m not sure whether it is authentic or a strictly for tourists item. Let’s be positive and go with authentic. Definitely New Guinea. I have seen PNG masks of this size that have woven reed borders…

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    Bob Ibold

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    Lovely piece of PNG art

    March 17, 2016

    Many masks are made for money

    February 4, 2014

    Timorese mask

    December 30, 2018
  • Oceania

    Excellent example of PNG art

    July 14, 2014 / No Comments

    Q:  I bought this Mask and I would like to know where it came from. It is 31 inches long I bought it from a friend who inherited it for $100. I will send the back picture in a minute.Thank you.  Jean, 658 A:  You lucked into a nice example of an ancestor spirit mask from one of the tribes living in the Sepik River area of Papua New Guinea.

    Read More
    Bob Ibold

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    African woven mask or PNG?

    February 7, 2015

    Tago mask from PNG

    February 7, 2017

    Is this PNG mask really old?

    July 18, 2019
4567
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.

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