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Masks For Sale
Woven Basketry Flat Yam Mask with Sculptural Face Papua New Guinea bird face
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Woven basketry yam helmet mask from Papua New Guinea. Flat form with projecting nose and eyes, encrusted surface. 13 inches high, mid 20th century. Will look great on the wall!
Category

Mid-20th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Masks

Materials

Organic Material

Antique African Carved Toma Landai Tribal Ceremonial Mask Guinea Art Horns
Located in Dayton, OH
Early antique hand carved Toma or Landai mask from Guinea, Africa. “These brooding, often quite large, masks represent a forest spirit, Landai. Masks lik...
Category

Early 20th Century Tribal Masks

Materials

Raffia, Hardwood

Antique Set of Mexican Papier-Mâché Masks 3
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960. We offer this antique set of 10 Mexican papier-mâché masks 100% handmade and paited with anilina (natural pigments).
Category

1960s Mexican Folk Art Vintage Masks

Materials

Paper

Italian Modern Venetian Handmade Blue and Gold Carnival Mask with Feathers
Located in New York, NY
This Folk Art cobalt blue mask is a real Venetian creation, entirely hand-drawn and handcrafted with gold decor and white stone. Italian Artists have realized this piece in full res...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Folk Art Masks

Materials

Metal, Metallic Thread

19th Century Hand-Carved Wood Javanese ‘Wayang Topeng’ Theatre Mask, Indonesia
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A visibly old mask from the Javanese masks theatre ‘wayang topeng’: carved from hard wood, and painted on the front side. This mask is from Cirebon in Ja...
Category

19th Century Indonesian Other Antique Masks

Materials

Wood

Nepal Wolf or Animal Dance Mask, Deep Patina, 19th to Early 20th Century
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Wolf or similar animal mask from Nepal with alert ears, mouth with teeth and fangs. Deep old patina on front and inside from traditional use. Ex- private collection in Southwest, ex ...
Category

Early 20th Century Nepalese Tribal Masks

Materials

Wood

Hand-Carved Wood Borneo Dayak Tribe Mask, Indonesia c. 1900
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This hand-carved wooden mask is from Central Kalimantan on the island of Borneo. It features bulging eyes and a mouth emphasised by a full set of teeth and small nose. These masks we...
Category

Early 20th Century Indonesian Other Masks

Materials

Wood

Folk Art Mid-Century Modern Blown Red Art Glass Face Masks, México
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century Modern Folk Art blown red glass face masks made in México.
Category

1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Masks

Materials

Blown Glass

'African Queen' Terracotta Sculpture of African Woman
Located in Antwerp, BE
African Woman glazed terracotta sculpture signed by Artist L. Zoao. One-Of-A-Kind Terracotta bust.  
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Masks

Materials

Terracotta

African Nafana Bedu Plank Mask Goli Tribal Ceremonial Shield Ghana Coast
Located in Dayton, OH
"Mid century carved African Nefana Bedu plank mask sculpture. This wooden plank mask is large and geometrical in form. It was worn over the face with its extremities towering way above the head. The lower part of the mask is spade-shaped and pierced at the center with three holes to allow the wearer to see out and with a third hole for the mouth. Its crest is surmounted by a large circular horn or disk. This group of masks are known as Bedu by the Nafana people who make and use them for ritual use. Measure: 74" Such plank masks are among the largest masks in Africa. The form of the Bedu mask...
Category

Mid-20th Century Tribal Masks

Materials

Hardwood, Paint

Woven Painted Basketry Old Yam Helmet Mask Sculptural Face Papua New Guinea
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Woven painted basketry yam helmet mask from Papua New Guinea. Hollow woven form with traces of red and white pigments. Measures: 14 1/2 inches high, mid 20th century.
Category

Mid-20th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Masks

Materials

Organic Material

Javanese Hand-Crafted Wayang Topeng Theatre Mask, Indonesia, Early 20th Century
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This early 20th century ‘Wayang topeng’ mask was used in Javanese masked dance performances. Measures: Height with stand 47cm; Height 18cm x Width 14cm...
Category

Early 20th Century Indonesian Other Masks

Materials

Wood

1950s Spanish Bull Head Hand Painted Papier-Mâché Festival Mask
Located in Marbella, ES
Popular 1950s Spanish bull head hand painted papier-mâché mask worn during village festivals.   
Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Masks

Materials

Paper

Indonesian Wood Mask, Mid-20th Century
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Penasar mask from Indonesia, circa 1975-1980. Hand-carved teak, polychromed in white and black. Mounted on a black metal stand. This type of mask is used at Indonesian ...
Category

1970s Indonesian Other Vintage Masks

Materials

Teak

Set of Three, Vintage, French, Pierrot Boudoir Doll Faces from the 1920s
Located in Vienna, Austria
What a wonderful discovery, rare Pierrot doll faces from the 1920s . All three pieces are in very good condition with minor age related flaws. These fabri...
Category

1920s French Modern Vintage Masks

Materials

Textile

Woven Painted Basketry Old Yam Mask with Sculptural Bird Face, Papua New Guinea
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Early woven painted basketry yam mask from Papua New Guinea. Bug eyed or bird faced mask with heavy incrustation from many years of use, a striking mask that ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Masks

Materials

Organic Material

Javanese 'Wayang Topeng", Theatre Mask, Indonesia, Early 20th Century
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This mask from Java depicts a mythical creature which would have been used in ‘Wayang Topeng’ dance performances. It features handles which are used to open and close the creatures m...
Category

Early 20th Century Indonesian Other Masks

Materials

Wood

Egyptian Mummy Mask, Late Period, ca. 700-30 B.C.
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Carved hardwood mummy mask having a pink-brown painted ground, painted black eyes and brows. Wearing a black headband. Eyes and brows are restored. Scattere...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Egyptian Antique Masks

Materials

Hardwood

Nepal Wood Dance Mask Oval Face with Open Mouth Teeth, Early 20th Century
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Oval dance mask from Nepal with strong expression, open eyes and oval mouth with finely carved teeth, nicely carved ears. Heavy black encrusted patina inside and out from traditional...
Category

Early 20th Century Nepalese Tribal Masks

Materials

Wood

Carved Tribal Mask from Pacific Northwest Coast by David Frankel
Located in Atlanta, GA
A striking carved and painted mask in the tradition of the Native Indian tribes from Pacific Northwest Coast by David Frankel in 1994. The mask...
Category

1990s American Native American Masks

Materials

Natural Fiber, Wood

Hand-Carved Wood Javanese ‘Wayang Topeng’ Theatre Mask, Indonesia, 20th Century
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This mid-20th century ‘Wayang topeng’ mask was used in Javanese masked dance performances. This mask features a bright mix of red, yellow, white & blue pol...
Category

Mid-20th Century Indonesian Other Masks

Materials

Wood

Javanese Hand-Crafted Wayang Topeng Theatre Mask, Indonesia, Early 20th Century
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This early 20th century ‘Wayang topeng’ mask was used in Javanese masked dance performances. This mask features a beige and white polychrome finish with hi...
Category

Early 20th Century Indonesian Other Masks

Materials

Wood

20th Century Hand-Carved Wood Javanese ‘Wayang Topeng’ Theatre Mask, Indonesia
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This early 20th century ‘Wayang topeng’ mask was used in Javanese masked dance performances. This mask features a black and green polychrome finish on its ...
Category

Early 20th Century Indonesian Other Masks

Materials

Wood

Hand-Carved Rustic Wooden Mask with Soft Expression
Located in Antwerp, BE
Rustic; folk art; mask; Axel Vervoordt This Rustic looking mask has a soft and elegant expression, closed eyes, and a finely carved mustache. The encrusted patina inside and out ...
Category

Early 20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Masks

Materials

Wood

1950s Spanish Elephant Head Hand Painted Papier-mâché Festival Mask
Located in Marbella, ES
Popular 1950s Spanish elephant head hand painted papier-mâché mask worn during village festivals.   
Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Masks

Materials

Paper

1950s Spanish Bearded Man Hand Painted Papier-mâché Festival Mask
Located in Marbella, ES
Popular 1950s Spanish bearded man hand painted papier-mâché mask worn during village festivals.   
Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Masks

Materials

Paper

African Lwalwa Tribal Mask
Located in Montreal, QC
African Lwalwa tribal mask enhanced with white pigment on the mouth and ears.
Category

1960s Congolese Vintage Masks

Materials

Wood

Large Vintage Latin American Hispanic Devil Diablo Folk Art Mask with Horns
Located in Studio City, CA
A fantastic piece. Really quite unique. We have not seen another quite like it. Made from heavy wood and features real horns. Likely South or Central American or perhaps from Mexico. Has clear signs of use and age so we are estimating early to mid-20th century. Would make for a terrific addition to any folk or tribal mask collection...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Masks

Materials

Wood, Paint

Early 20th Century Hand-Carved Wood Javanese ‘Wayang Topeng’ Mask, Indonesia
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This bright orange mask depicts a mythical being inspired by Javanese folklore. It was used in masked performances known as ‘wayang topeng’. The mask’s age is present in the fading o...
Category

Early 20th Century Indonesian Other Masks

Materials

Wood

1950s Spanish Hand Painted Cock Head Papier-Mâché Festival Mask
Located in Marbella, ES
Popular 1950s Spanish hand painted papier-mâché cock head mask worn during village festivals.
Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Masks

Materials

Paper

Javanese 'Wayang Topeng", Theatre Mask, Indonesia, Early 20th Century
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This mask from Java depicts a mythical creature which would have been used in ‘Wayang Topeng’ dance performances. It features handles which are used to open and close the creatures m...
Category

Early 20th Century Indonesian Other Masks

Materials

Wood

Japanese Theatre Mitsumekozo Theatre Mask Meiji Period, circa 1900
Located in Prahran, Victoria
Unusual Japanese Folk Art theatre mask depicting the playful character Mitsumekozo, a three eyed goblin often portrayed as a mischevious creature in comical plays, late Meiji period,...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Masks

Materials

Wood

Yupik Yup'ik Native American Alaska Carved Polychrome Wood Anthropomorphic Mask
Located in Studio City, CA
A fantastic and somewhat grotesquely strange mask by the Yup'ik (Yupik) aboriginal, indigenous people of South-Western & South Central Alaska. The Yup'ik people, who are related to t...
Category

20th Century American Masks

Materials

Natural Fiber, Wood, Paint

Running Mask Danh Tribe
Located in Dallas, TX
This wooden Gonveia mask is handmade in the Danh Tribe Tradition. Mask is on an iron stand.
Category

Mid-20th Century Masks

Materials

Wood

Yoruba Egungun Headdress Mask
Located in Chicago, IL
Attributed to the Yoruba people of western Nigeria, this wooden headdress was worn during a masquerade known as egungun. A widespread Yoruba ritual, egungun performances honor a comm...
Category

Early 20th Century Nigerian Tribal Masks

Materials

Wood

1940s Paper Mache Chinese Dragon Head from a Costume
Located in Tarrytown, NY
1940s handmade papier mâché head of a dragon. From a costume worn for Chinese New Years. Eyes blink, by pulling on chords in head. A bird sits on top...
Category

1940s Vintage Masks

Materials

Paper

Pacific Northwest Native Raven Sculpture by Emile Thibert
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pacific Northwest native raven sculpture by Emile Thibert, Canadian, circa 1990s. Signed and dedicated to the original owners underneath. Emile Thiber...
Category

1990s Canadian Native American Masks

Materials

Wood

Large Japanese Lacquer Mask
Located in New York, NY
Large Japanese lacquer and Papier-Mâché (19th Century) Iki Ningyo mask or sometimes referred to as Noh mask, mounted on custom painted metal base.  Trim...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Masks

Materials

Lacquer

Masks
Located in Atlanta, GA
Selection of Pacific Northwest Native style masks, hand carved and painted by sculptor, circa 1990s. They measure: Top row, left to right: 9"H...
Category

1990s Canadian Tribal Masks

Materials

Wood

Ceramic Comedy and Tragedy Masks
Located in New York, NY
Whimsical handmade pottery Comedy and Tragedy wall mount masks, in deep cobalt blue and creamy off white glaze. Probably studio made circa 1960/1970...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Masks

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

Pende-Style Antelope Mask
Located in Chicago, IL
Masks from the Pende people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo are considered some of the most dramatic works of African art. The Pende have defined an extensive range of mask forms, many with distinct characters embodied during ritual ceremony. Colored by red and white pigments, this Pende mask...
Category

Mid-20th Century Congolese Tribal Masks

Materials

Wood

Hand Carved Wood Painted and Pigmented Primitive Tribal Mask
Located in Studio City, CA
An interesting piece. Quite unique. We are at a loss to what region this might be from. The facial features are very pronounced and the mask has been nicely colored with various pigments. The mask has some age to it and a nice patina. We are listing as early to mid-20th century but it could very well be older. From a collection of tribal artifacts...
Category

Early 20th Century Masks

Materials

Wood, Paint

Black Faun Wall Decorative Ceramic Mask circa 1950 French Midcentury
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Wall ceramic mask, circa 1950 French midcentury ceramic mask with elegant black ceramic glaze color. Original perfect conditions Measures: Height 24 cm, large 22 cm, depth 7...
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Masks

Materials

Ceramic

Yupik Yup'ik Native American Alaska Polychrome Wood Anthropomorphic Spirit Mask
Located in Studio City, CA
A fantastic, somewhat sinister appearing mask by the Yup'ik (Yupik) aboriginal, indigenous people of South-Western & South Central Alaska. The Yup'ik people, who are related to the I...
Category

20th Century American Masks

Materials

Wood, Paint

Antique Folk Art Papier Paper Mâché Mardi Gras Halloween Voodoo Costume Mask
Located in San Diego, CA
Very unique antique handmade folk art papier/paper mâché Mardi Gras/Halloween voodoo costume mask. The mask is handmade and painted by the artist. Signed "Michel" on the inside. Grea...
Category

Early 20th Century Masks

Materials

Paper

Small Warrior Spirit Mask, Northwest Coast by Charlie Mickey, Nootka Nation
By Charlie Mickey
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A small warrior spirit mask Northwest Coast Carved and polychrome decorated mask with horse hair, Hand carved by Charlie Mickey (1910-1988), Hesquiah...
Category

Mid-20th Century Canadian Native American Masks

Materials

Wood

Ceramic Mask by Gilbert Portanier, 1979
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Gilbert Portanier, mask France, Vallauris, 1979. Signed Unique piece Enameled ceramic mask with a polychrome decoration. Nose, arches and beard in relief and two slits to crea...
Category

20th Century French Beaux Arts Masks

Materials

Ceramic

Yupik Yup'ik Native American Alaska Polychrome Wood Anthropomorphic Spirit Mask
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful, somewhat benevolent mask by the Yup'ik (Yupik) aboriginal, indigenous people of South-Western & South Central Alaska. The Yup'ik people, who are related to the Inuit peo...
Category

20th Century American Masks

Materials

Wood, Paint

"Sharp is the Action" Mask Sculpture by Dave Root, High-Fire Stoneware, Signed
Located in Kansas City, MO
From a series of masks and heads, "Sharp is the Action" is a tabletop sculpture inspired by the masks and heads made throughout Oceania. Landing in the nebulous zone between ceremony...
Category

2010s American Modern Masks

Materials

Stoneware

Noh Edo Period Lion Mask II
Located in Pasadena, CA
This another superb example of an Edo Period early 18th century or earlier Lion Mask created for the Lion Dances of the Gion Matsuri Festival. The mask is i...
Category

Early 18th Century Japanese Edo Antique Masks

Materials

Wood

Mid 20th Century Hand Carved African Fertility Mask, Akan People
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very decorative fertility mask by the Baule tribe, associated with the Akan people who live both in Ghana and in the Ivory Coast. The sides with three...
Category

Mid-20th Century Ivorian Tribal Masks

Materials

Wood

Antique Folk Art Papier Paper Mâché Mardi Gras Halloween Voodoo Costume Mask
Located in San Diego, CA
Very unique antique handmade Folk Art papier/papier mâché Mardi Gras/Halloween voodoo costume mask. The mask is handmade and painted by the artist. Signed "Michel" on the inside. Gre...
Category

Early 20th Century Masks

Materials

Paper

Yupik Yup'ik Native American Alaska Polychrome Wood Anthropomorphic Spirit Mask
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful, somewhat benevolent mask by the Yup'ik (Yupik) aboriginal, indigenous people of South-Western & South Central Alaska. The Yup'ik people, who are related to the Inuit peoples, have a long history of ceremonial mask making. Yup'ik masks were originally and specifically designed by Shamans and made to be worn by these spiritual leaders in Winter tribal dances and sacred ceremonies. Traditionally, the masks were destroyed or discarded after use in these ceremonies. Very few of these masks survived. After Christian contact in the late 19th century, masked dancing was suppressed and the tradition all but died out. As more outsiders settled in Alaska at the turn of the century, masks were made by the Yup'ik people to sell or trade for necessary goods. It is likely that this mask was created some years later for this purpose. In the 20th century, Yup'ik mask had a profound influence on many renowned surrealist artists including, Max Ernst, Joan Miro, Leonora Carrington, Victor Brauner, and most notably Andre Breton who was an avid collector of Yup'ik masks. This fantastic anthropomorphic mask is carved of lighter wood and hand painted/ decorated with pigment. The mask seems to represent some sort of smiling, benevolent spirit or character. The mask is from a French collection. We were told that this mask, as well as others in the collection we have listed, was acquired originally in the 1950s-1960s in Alaska and the Yukon territory in Canada but as we have no way to verify or authenticate this. Please note we are listing the masks as decorative and not as actual tribal artifacts...
Category

20th Century American Masks

Materials

Wood, Paint

Goldscheider Vienna Set of Four Wall Masks by Adolf Prischl, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A lovely set of four Austrian terracotta miniature wall masks, designed by Adolf Prischl, executed by Friedrich Goldscheider Vienna in the 1950s. All four masks are in excellent cond...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Masks

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery, Terracotta

Kuba Mask African Bwoom Tribal Congo in Wood, Vibrates Vegetables, Animal Hair
Located in Milano, IT
The African Kuba Bwoom tribal mask is the oldest known mask, the Kuba bwoom mask. The materials used for the realization of the Mask are: Wood, colors and vibrates plants, caures, beads, animal hair. In dance it expresses exuberance and joy. The style is similar to that of the middle Kasai. This mask is a helmet with animal hair, carved with a very wide forehead and hollow cheeks that are announced by motifs or dashes and beads. The mouth of the mask is very pronounced carved in wood and then applied on the mask. To distinguish the forehead in different areas are used black and white beads to draw attention to other aspects of the face such as the nose and chin. The entire edge of the chin is surrounded by beads of various colors. The person wearing the mask cannot look because there are no holes for the eyes present; the mask must create the feeling of being blind. Some masks similar to the bwoom mask include the funny mask, the ram mask and initiation masks such as Nnup. The real Kuba masks...
Category

1620s Congolese Tribal Antique Masks

Materials

Animal Skin, Organic Material, Wood

19th Century Extra Large Papier Mâché Hat
Located in Brecht, BE
For lovers of quirky objects and eccentricities ... an extra large papier mâché hat ... lovely patina ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Masks

Materials

Paper

Carved and Painted Wood Architectural Element in the Form of a Mask "Green Man"
Located in Stamford, CT
A carved and painted wood "Green Man" mask from a facade of a mansion near Seattle, late 19th century. The Green Man is a legendary being primarily interpreted as a symbol of rebir...
Category

1890s American Folk Art Antique Masks

Materials

Wood

20th Century North West Coast Tribal Mask Stan Hunt Signed
By Stan Hunt
Located in Point Richmond, CA
20th Century North West Coast Mask Stan Hunt Signed A striking, graphic mask in the immediately identifiable North West Coast style. A Classic image ...
Category

1970s Canadian Other Vintage Masks

Materials

Cedar, Paint

Antique and Vintage Masks

Today, art enthusiasts and venturesome interior designers find a lot to love and appreciate about antique and vintage masks, particularly as they have earned a distinct place amid a collection of folk art and other collectibles and curiosities in contemporary homes.

Folk art refers to art that people, not classically trained, created for either utilitarian or decorative purposes. With respect to visual art in folk art, it is typically reflective of a community’s culture and usually handmade by craftspeople working within a popular tradition. Masks, as part of this history, have been used in carnivals, theater, medicine, therapy, religion and more. The use of masks in rituals and sacred ceremonies goes back thousands of years, and masks in general are believed to be much older. And all kinds of other uses have been found for masks and face coverings over time. We have enlisted these accessories for protection, to signal modesty, facilitate flirtation, enable licentiousness or simply to look cool.

Archaeologists found a mask in Palestine that is believed to be 9,000 years old, a Neolithic-era stone mask that may have been part of rituals associated with the worship of ancestors. Some tribal masks are worn as an offering to the gods. Masks are among the most important African art forms, for example, and traditional African masks can be used to lend a concrete form to an invisible spirit. Dancers donning wooden tribal masks celebrate important events to honor their deceased ancestors. These masks are also very important devices for storytelling and sharing the oral history of a community.

For Asian artists, specific colors are used in masks to convey different values and ideas. In Japan, a red Oni mask worn by performers during a festival might signify anger, while in China’s Peking Opera, a mask that has been hand-painted gold would be worn by an immortal.

Mexican craftspeople make masks for traditional celebrations and ceremonial dances. Mexican masks are part of the country’s folk-art traditions that go back thousands of years and play a role in festivals and theater. A common symbol of the Mexican holiday Day of the Dead is a skull, which is widely represented in masks (although the innumerable activities associated with the holiday are by no means universal).

We’re inviting you to explore and pay respect to the long folk-art traditions that underpin mask-making by introducing antique and vintage masks to your space. Find an exciting collection on 1stDibs today.

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