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Mexican Carved Masks

Antique Mexican Hand-Carved Wooden Mask
Antique Mexican Hand-Carved Wooden Mask

Antique Mexican Hand-Carved Wooden Mask

$500

H 9.45 in W 7.49 in D 5.52 in

Antique Mexican Hand-Carved Wooden Mask

Located in Mexico City, CDMX

Traditional Mexican mask hand-carved from wood, embodying the symbolic strength and expressive power of folk art.

Category

Vintage 1950s Mexican Folk Art Masks

Materials

Wood

Hand-Carved Mexican Skull Dance Mask -Mexico, circa 1950
Hand-Carved Mexican Skull Dance Mask -Mexico, circa 1950

Hand-Carved Mexican Skull Dance Mask -Mexico, circa 1950

Located in Mexico City, CDMX

Striking Mexican dance mask hand-carved from solid wood, depicting a stylized human skull, circa 1950.

Category

Vintage 1950s Mexican Folk Art Masks

Materials

Wood

Vintage hand Carved Wood Mexican Barbón Dance Mask
Vintage hand Carved Wood Mexican Barbón Dance Mask

Vintage hand Carved Wood Mexican Barbón Dance Mask

Located in Norwood, NJ

Vintage hand-carved Mexican “Barbón” dance mask featuring a dramatic long-bearded male face with deeply sculpted curls, expressive eyes, and rich dark wood tones.

Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Masks

Materials

Wood

Ceremonial Jaguar Mask Mexico.
Ceremonial Jaguar Mask Mexico.

Ceremonial Jaguar Mask Mexico.

$1,500

H 15.75 in W 11.82 in D 7.49 in

Ceremonial Jaguar Mask Mexico.

Located in Mexico City, CDMX

We offer this extraordinary large-scale Mexican ceremonial mask, hand-carved in wood, depicting the powerful figure of the jaguar—one of the most ancient and sacred symbols of Mesoam...

Category

Vintage 1960s Mexican Folk Art Masks

Materials

Wood

1950s Catrin "Dandy" Mask, Tlaxcala, Mexico
1950s Catrin "Dandy" Mask, Tlaxcala, Mexico

1950s Catrin "Dandy" Mask, Tlaxcala, Mexico

Located in Point Richmond, CA

Catrin (Dandy) mask Nahua people, Tlaxcala, Mexico Wood, gesso, paint 1950s-1960s Measures: 7? (17.8 cm) high, 6.5? (16.5 cm) wide, 5? (12.7 cm) deep This mask is called the C...

Category

Vintage 1950s Mexican Folk Art Masks

Materials

Wood, Paint

Antique Mexican Bearded Man Mask Guerrero, Mexico, circa 1930
Antique Mexican Bearded Man Mask Guerrero, Mexico, circa 1930

Antique Mexican Bearded Man Mask Guerrero, Mexico, circa 1930

Located in Mexico City, CDMX

Extraordinary hand-carved Mexican folk mask depicting the classic “Barbón,” or bearded man character, an emblematic figure in traditional ceremonial dances and carnival celebrations ...

Category

Vintage 1960s Mexican Folk Art Masks

Materials

Wood

Antique Jaguar Mask — Traditional Mexican Carving
Antique Jaguar Mask — Traditional Mexican Carving

Antique Jaguar Mask — Traditional Mexican Carving

Located in Mexico City, CDMX

Antique Mexican mask hand-carved in wood, depicting the powerful face of a jaguar—one of the most significant and symbolic animals in the ritual traditions of Mesoamerica.

Category

Vintage 1960s Mexican Folk Art Masks

Materials

Wood

Antique Mexican Ceremonial Mask, circa 1940
Antique Mexican Ceremonial Mask, circa 1940

Antique Mexican Ceremonial Mask, circa 1940

$700

H 8.27 in W 6.5 in D 5.91 in

Antique Mexican Ceremonial Mask, circa 1940

Located in Mexico City, CDMX

Expressive traditional Mexican mask, hand-carved in wood and polychromed, circa 1940.

Category

Vintage 1940s Mexican Folk Art Masks

Materials

Wood

Zoomorphic Ceremonial Mask Mexico, circa 1940
Zoomorphic Ceremonial Mask Mexico, circa 1940

Zoomorphic Ceremonial Mask Mexico, circa 1940

$1,500

H 16.15 in W 15.75 in D 8.27 in

Zoomorphic Ceremonial Mask Mexico, circa 1940

Located in Mexico City, CDMX

Distinctive mid-20th century Mexican ceremonial mask, hand-carved in wood with a powerful sculptural presence and a deeply expressive aesthetic.

Category

Vintage 1940s Mexican Folk Art Masks

Materials

Wood

“Barbón” Mask – Mexican Folk Art (Guerrero, ca. 1950)
“Barbón” Mask – Mexican Folk Art (Guerrero, ca. 1950)

“Barbón” Mask – Mexican Folk Art (Guerrero, ca. 1950)

Located in Mexico City, CDMX

Traditional Mexican mask hand-carved in wood, originating from the state of Guerrero.

Category

Vintage 1970s Mexican Folk Art Masks

Materials

Wood

Zoomorphic Ceremonial Mask with Ram Horns. Mexico, circa 1940
Zoomorphic Ceremonial Mask with Ram Horns. Mexico, circa 1940

Zoomorphic Ceremonial Mask with Ram Horns. Mexico, circa 1940

Located in Mexico City, CDMX

Extraordinary mid-20th century Mexican ceremonial mask, hand-carved in wood and mounted with authentic ram horns, a striking testament to the expressive power of traditional folk art.

Category

Vintage 1940s Mexican Folk Art Masks

Materials

Wood

Large-Scale Devil Mask — Hand-Carved Wood
Large-Scale Devil Mask — Hand-Carved Wood

Large-Scale Devil Mask — Hand-Carved Wood

$2,500

H 31.5 in W 24.41 in D 14.18 in

Large-Scale Devil Mask — Hand-Carved Wood

Located in Mexico City, CDMX

Impressive large-scale Mexican mask, entirely hand-carved in wood and painted in vivid traditional colors.

Category

Vintage 1940s Mexican Folk Art Masks

Materials

Wood

Xantolo Mask From The Huasteca Region Of Hidalgo, Mexico, 1970´s
Xantolo Mask From The Huasteca Region Of Hidalgo, Mexico, 1970´s

Xantolo Mask From The Huasteca Region Of Hidalgo, Mexico, 1970´s

Located in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato

Xantolo mask from the Huasteca region of Hidalgo. This rare collector's mask was acquired from the town of Tzapotitla in the municipality of Huazalingo in the mid 1970´s. The Xantolo...

Category

Vintage 1970s Mexican Tribal Masks

Materials

Wood, Paint

Large Vintage Latin American Hispanic Devil Diablo Folk Art Mask with Horns
Large Vintage Latin American Hispanic Devil Diablo Folk Art Mask with Horns

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...

Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Masks

Materials

Paint, Wood

Hand-Carved Wooden Bull Head, circa 1970
Hand-Carved Wooden Bull Head, circa 1970

Hand-Carved Wooden Bull Head, circa 1970

$610

H 9.85 in W 15.75 in D 7.09 in

Hand-Carved Wooden Bull Head, circa 1970

Located in Mexico City, CDMX

Sculptural wall-mounted bull head, hand-carved in wood and polychromed in a matte black finish with natural accents on the horns and facial details, circa 1970. Defined by its clean ...

Category

Vintage 1970s Mexican Folk Art Masks

Materials

Wood

Mid-20th Century Black Dance Mask, Guerrero, Mexico
Mid-20th Century Black Dance Mask, Guerrero, Mexico

Mid-20th Century Black Dance Mask, Guerrero, Mexico

Located in Point Richmond, CA

Mid-20th century black dance mask, Guerrero, Mexico A nice old mask from Guererro, Mexico, used in the Tlacololero Dance of the Tlactapa and probably from the 1950s, has a very mode...

Category

Vintage 1940s Mexican Tribal Wall-mounted Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Carved Green Stone Like Mask Of The Moon With Stand
Carved Green Stone Like Mask Of The Moon With Stand

Carved Green Stone Like Mask Of The Moon With Stand

$2,400Sale Price|25% Off

H 21 in W 18 in D 5 in

Carved Green Stone Like Mask Of The Moon With Stand

Located in Guaynabo, PR

This is a carved green stone like mask of the moon. It depicts the facial expression of sadness.

Category

20th Century Mexican Pre-Columbian Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Stone, Metal

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Onyx and Carved Stone African Mask Bookends
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Onyx and Carved Stone African Mask Bookends

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Onyx and Carved Stone African Mask Bookends

Located in San Diego, CA

Striking pair of sculptural Mid-Century Modern bookends crafted from beautifully banded cream and gray onyx, each adorned with a polished carved stone African mask motif in contrasti...

Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Tribal Bookends

Materials

Marble

Recent Sales

Antique "Calavera" Mexican Carved Wood Mask
Antique "Calavera" Mexican Carved Wood Mask

Antique "Calavera" Mexican Carved Wood Mask

Unavailable

H 19 in W 14 in D 4 in

Antique "Calavera" Mexican Carved Wood Mask

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Amazing example of true Folk Art, this is a huge carved mask painted in multiple colors and adorned with horse hair. This piece probably was made in Guerrero.

Category

20th Century Mexican Masks

Materials

Wood, Paint

Pair of White Plaster Textured Wall Mexican Masks
Pair of White Plaster Textured Wall Mexican Masks

Pair of White Plaster Textured Wall Mexican Masks

Located in Pasadena, CA

Each mask is signed MEXICO on the reverse, indicating their provenance.

Category

Vintage 1980s Mexican Masks

Materials

Plaster

Early 20th Century Hand Carved Mexican Carnival Mask
Early 20th Century Hand Carved Mexican Carnival Mask

Early 20th Century Hand Carved Mexican Carnival Mask

Located in London, GB

Early 20th century Hand Carved Mexican carnival mask A highly decorative and authentic early 20th century Mexican carnival mask.

Category

Vintage 1920s Mexican Folk Art Masks

Materials

Pine

Archer Mask from Mexico
Archer Mask from Mexico

Archer Mask from Mexico

Sold

H 7 in W 5.25 in D 4.88 in

Archer Mask from Mexico

Located in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato

Ceremonial arquero mask from Tlapa de Comonfort, Guerrero, Mexico.

Category

Vintage 1970s Mexican Rustic Masks

Materials

Wood

Arquero Mask from Mexico
Arquero Mask from Mexico

Arquero Mask from Mexico

Sold

H 7.63 in W 5.5 in D 4.75 in

Arquero Mask from Mexico

Located in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato

Danced, ceremonial arquero mask from Talpa de Comonfort, Guerrero, Mexico.

Category

Vintage 1970s Mexican Rustic Masks

Materials

Wood

Hand Carved Ceremonial Mask from Mexico, circa 1960's
Hand Carved Ceremonial Mask from Mexico, circa 1960's

Hand Carved Ceremonial Mask from Mexico, circa 1960's

Located in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato

Hand-carved, hardwood ceremonial mask from the Uruapan / Patzcuaro region of Michoacan, Mexico, circa 1960's.

Category

Vintage 1960s Mexican Folk Art Masks

Materials

Hardwood, Teeth

Ceremonial Deer Mask from Mexico
Ceremonial Deer Mask from Mexico

Ceremonial Deer Mask from Mexico

Sold

H 19 in W 23 in D 4 in

Ceremonial Deer Mask from Mexico

Located in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato

Ceremonial hybrid deer pelt and Horn mask from Zacatecas, Mexico.

Category

Vintage 1980s Mexican Rustic Masks

Materials

Wood

Mexican Bull Mask from Chiapas
Mexican Bull Mask from Chiapas

Mexican Bull Mask from Chiapas

Sold

H 8 in W 10.25 in D 5.13 in

Mexican Bull Mask from Chiapas

Located in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato

Bull "Toro" Mask, hand-carved hardwood from Suchiapa, Chiapas, 1940s.

Category

Vintage 1940s Mexican Folk Art Masks

Materials

Wood

Vintage Mexican Folk Art Hand Carved and Hand Painted Wooden Deer Mask
Vintage Mexican Folk Art Hand Carved and Hand Painted Wooden Deer Mask

Vintage Mexican Folk Art Hand Carved and Hand Painted Wooden Deer Mask

Located in Bristol, GB

Vintage Wooden Deer Head With Antlers Hand-carved and polychrome painted with silver antlers, googly eyes and a wonderful smile. Provenance: Previously with Christies from the coll...

Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Masks

Materials

Wood, Paint

Negro Costeño Carnaval Mask, Costa Chica, Guerrero Mexico
Negro Costeño Carnaval Mask, Costa Chica, Guerrero Mexico

Negro Costeño Carnaval Mask, Costa Chica, Guerrero Mexico

Located in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato

Negro costeño carnaval mask from Costa Chica, Guerrero, Mexico.

Category

Vintage 1980s Mexican Folk Art Masks

Materials

Hardwood

Carnaval Mask from Costa Chica, Oaxaca
Carnaval Mask from Costa Chica, Oaxaca

Carnaval Mask from Costa Chica, Oaxaca

Sold

H 22 in W 14 in L 22 in

Carnaval Mask from Costa Chica, Oaxaca

Located in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato

Red, black and white carnaval mask from San Pedo Jicayan, Costa Chica, Oaxaca, Mexico.

Category

2010s Mexican Folk Art Masks

Materials

Wood

Monumental Mexican Carved Polychrome Mermaid Dance Mask, Folk Art Sculpture
Monumental Mexican Carved Polychrome Mermaid Dance Mask, Folk Art Sculpture

Monumental Mexican Carved Polychrome Mermaid Dance Mask, Folk Art Sculpture

Located in Forney, TX

A magnificent life-size Mexican folk art hand carved and painted wood body dance mask, in the form of a mermaid, dating to the early 20th century, most likely originating in Guerrero...

Category

Early 20th Century Mexican Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood, Gesso, Paint

Pair of Antique Parachico Mexican Masks
Pair of Antique Parachico Mexican Masks

Pair of Antique Parachico Mexican Masks

Sold

H 12 in W 14 in D 4.75 in

Pair of Antique Parachico Mexican Masks

Located in Rochester, NY

Pair of antique carved and painted wood Parachico Mexican masks.

Category

Early 20th Century Mexican Masks

Materials

Wood, Paint

Collection of Five Vintage Mexican Folk Art Hand Carved Wood Masks
Collection of Five Vintage Mexican Folk Art Hand Carved Wood Masks

Collection of Five Vintage Mexican Folk Art Hand Carved Wood Masks

Located in Topeka, KS

Fabulous vintage collection of five Mexican hand carved wood Folk Art masks. These make a wonderful wall collage.

Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Masks

Materials

Leather, Wood

Hand-Carved Folk Art Mask
Hand-Carved Folk Art Mask

Hand-Carved Folk Art Mask

Sold

H 14 in W 7 in D 5.5 in

Hand-Carved Folk Art Mask

Located in Stamford, CT

Wonderful vintage Mexican anthropomorphic Folk Art mask of a mans face on the back of a rabbit. Probably an early work by the master carver Juan Horta Castillo.

Category

Vintage 1960s Mexican Folk Art Masks

Mexican Folk Art Carved & Polychrome Painted Wood Diablo Mask, Circa 1950
Mexican Folk Art Carved & Polychrome Painted Wood Diablo Mask, Circa 1950

Mexican Folk Art Carved & Polychrome Painted Wood Diablo Mask, Circa 1950

Located in Ottawa, Ontario

Mexican folk art carved and Polychrome painted wood diablo mask Probably Guerrero, Mexico, Circa 1950.

Category

Vintage 1950s Mexican Tribal Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Pre-Columbian Mounted Zapotec Carved Adornos Stone Mask
Pre-Columbian Mounted Zapotec Carved Adornos Stone Mask

Pre-Columbian Mounted Zapotec Carved Adornos Stone Mask

Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire

A fine Pre Columbian mounted Zapotec stone carved ardonos mask remnant believed to be from a large and elaborate funerary vessel presented on a purpose made display stand. From a pri...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Mexican Pre-Columbian Sculptures and Ca...

Materials

Stone

Pre-Columbian Mounted Zapotec Carved Adornos Stone Mask
Pre-Columbian Mounted Zapotec Carved Adornos Stone Mask

Pre-Columbian Mounted Zapotec Carved Adornos Stone Mask

Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire

A fine pre Columbian mounted Zapotec stone carved ardonos mask remnant believed to be from a large and elaborate funerary vessel presented on a purpose made display stand. From a pri...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Mexican Pre-Columbian Sculptures and Ca...

Materials

Stone

Pre-Columbian Mounted Zapotec Carved Adornos Stone Mask
Pre-Columbian Mounted Zapotec Carved Adornos Stone Mask

Pre-Columbian Mounted Zapotec Carved Adornos Stone Mask

Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire

A fine Pre Columbian mounted Zapotec stone carved ardonos mask remnant believed to be from a large and elaborate funerary vessel presented on a purpose made display stand. From a pri...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Mexican Pre-Columbian Sculptures and Ca...

Materials

Stone

Carved Wood Painted Mexican Mask
Carved Wood Painted Mexican Mask

Carved Wood Painted Mexican Mask

Located in San Francisco, CA

Delightful carved wood painted Mexican clown mask. *We ship internationally*

Category

Vintage 1940s Mexican Masks

Materials

Wood

Mexican Folk Art Mask
Mexican Folk Art Mask

Mexican Folk Art Mask

Sold

H 28 in W 12 in D 12 in

Mexican Folk Art Mask

Located in Southampton, NY

A Mexican hand-carved and painted wood mask of a bearded man from the dance of the Moors and Christians, circa 1970.

Category

Vintage 1970s Mexican Masks

Materials

Wood

Vintage Mexican Card Face Mask
Vintage Mexican Card Face Mask

Vintage Mexican Card Face Mask

Located in San Francisco, CA

A unique vintage Mexican 'card face' mask - Veracruz, circa 1960's. Displayed on a high quality custom made stand.

Dimensions: Overall height, including stand, measure...

Category

Vintage 1960s Mexican Masks

Antique Mexican Santiaguito Body Mask
Antique Mexican Santiaguito Body Mask

Antique Mexican Santiaguito Body Mask

Sold

H 24 in W 30 in D 15 in

Antique Mexican Santiaguito Body Mask

Located in San Francisco, CA

A fabulous example of a vintage Mexican 'Santiaguito' body mask with horse hair mane, tassels and original chain link bridle - rich with color, wear and patina. Displayed on a high q...

Category

Vintage 1940s Mexican Masks

A Good Vintage Mexican Paragueros Dance Mask
A Good Vintage Mexican Paragueros Dance Mask

A Good Vintage Mexican Paragueros Dance Mask

Located in San Francisco, CA

This finely crafted vintage Mexican dance mask comes from the state of Tlaxcala and dates to the middle of the 20th century - circa 1940's.

Category

Vintage 1940s Mexican Masks

Carved Wood Mask
Carved Wood Mask

Carved Wood Mask

Sold

H 13.25 in W 7 in D 7.5 in

Carved Wood Mask

Located in Oakland, CA

Mexican card mask with nice authentic patina. Mask measures 9.25" high, 7" wide and 6.25" deep.

Category

Vintage 1960s Mexican Masks

Materials

Wood

Rare Vintage Mexican 'Calaca' Mask - Oaxaca - Circa 1940
Rare Vintage Mexican 'Calaca' Mask - Oaxaca - Circa 1940

Rare Vintage Mexican 'Calaca' Mask - Oaxaca - Circa 1940

Located in San Francisco, CA

This dramatic early 20th century Mexican mask (circa 1930's / 1940's) from Oaxaca, represents a 'calaca' -- a skull, used in ceremonial drama dances usually during Day of the Dead fe...

Category

Vintage 1940s Mexican Masks

Large Antique Mexican Processional Mask - Torito
Large Antique Mexican Processional Mask - Torito

Large Antique Mexican Processional Mask - Torito

Located in San Francisco, CA

A very large, rare early 20th century (circa 1940's) Mexican torito mask. Hand carved and polychrome painted hardwood with real bull horns, original leather straps and two large hand...

Category

Vintage 1940s Mexican Masks

Materials

Wood, Horn, Leather

Fabulous Vintage Mexican 'Queen of Hearts' Card Face Mask
Fabulous Vintage Mexican 'Queen of Hearts' Card Face Mask

Fabulous Vintage Mexican 'Queen of Hearts' Card Face Mask

Located in San Francisco, CA

A superb vintage Mexican Queen of Hearts 'card face' mask from Veracruz -- circa 1960's. Displayed on a high quality custom made stand. Dimensions: Overall height, including stan...

Category

Vintage 1960s Mexican Masks

A Large and Impressive Antique Mexican Bull Devil Mask
A Large and Impressive Antique Mexican Bull Devil Mask

A Large and Impressive Antique Mexican Bull Devil Mask

Located in San Francisco, CA

A large and impressive early 20th century Mexican bull devil mask with adjoining coral snakes, mirrored glass eyes, large wooden teeth and polychrome painted horns. Guerrero - circa ...

Category

Vintage 1930s Mexican Masks

A Superb Early 20th Century Mexican Burro (Donkey) Mask
A Superb Early 20th Century Mexican Burro (Donkey) Mask

A Superb Early 20th Century Mexican Burro (Donkey) Mask

Located in San Francisco, CA

A superb early 20th century Mexican 'burro' (donkey) dance mask with original coral red, yellow and white paint. Overall with cracquelure, excellent wear and surface patina. Dime...

Category

Early 20th Century Mexican Masks

A superb Vintage Mexican Card Face Mask - Circa 1960's
A superb Vintage Mexican Card Face Mask - Circa 1960's

A superb Vintage Mexican Card Face Mask - Circa 1960's

Located in San Francisco, CA

A superb vintage Mexican 'card face' mask from Veracruz -- circa 1960's.
Displayed on a high quality custom made stand.

Dimensions: Overall height, including st...

Category

Vintage 1960s Mexican Masks

Very Rare Vintage Mexican Calaca (Skull) Mask
Very Rare Vintage Mexican Calaca (Skull) Mask

Very Rare Vintage Mexican Calaca (Skull) Mask

Located in San Francisco, CA

This rare early 20th century Mexican mask from Oaxaca, beautifully sculpted and painted in deep shades of burgundy over a creamy white slip, represents a 'calaca' -- a skull, used in...

Category

Vintage 1940s Mexican Tribal Art

Vintage Mexican Dance Mask, Veracruz - circa 1940's
Vintage Mexican Dance Mask, Veracruz - circa 1940's

Vintage Mexican Dance Mask, Veracruz - circa 1940's

Located in San Francisco, CA

A good early 20th century mustachioed Moro mask from the dance of the Christians and Moors. Veracruz, Mexico - circa 1940's. Displayed on a high quality custom made stand. Dimensi...

Category

Vintage 1940s Mexican Tribal Art

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Mexican Carved Masks For Sale on 1stDibs

There is a range of Mexican carved masks for sale on 1stDibs. Frequently made of stone, onyx and wood, all Mexican carved masks available were constructed with great care. We have 8 antique and vintage Mexican carved masks in-stock, while there are 14 modern editions to choose from as well. Mexican carved masks have long been popular, with older editions for sale from the 20th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. mid-century modern and folk art Mexican carved masks are consistently popular styles. Mexican carved masks have been a part of the life’s work for many furniture makers, but those produced by l'aviva home are consistently popular.

How Much are Mexican Carved Masks?

Mexican carved masks can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price at 1stDibs is $1,965, while the lowest priced sells for $395 and the highest can go for as much as $6,500.

Finding the Right Masks for You

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.