Antique Papua New Guinea Hand-Carved Tribal Mask, Sepik River Region, Early 20th
Located in Miami, FL
Antique Papua New Guinea Hand-Carved Tribal Mask, Sepik River Region, Early 20th Century An evocative and finely crafted tribal mask from Papua New Guinea, likely originating from t...
Natural Fiber
Large Basketry Gable Mask from Papua New Guinea
Located in Highland, IN
A beautiful and large example of Oceanic art, this delightful woven mask would have been used on the gable of a middle Sepik meeting house. The wildly expressive form is accentuated ...
Cane, Rattan, Wood
Fiber Polychrome Mask Yam Ancestor Papua New Guinea
Located in Atlanta, GA
The mask was a classic tribal art piece from Abelam people who live in Maprik area of the Mid Sepik River region in Papua New Guinea.
Acrylic, Natural Fiber
Woven Encrusted Painted Basketry Old Yam Helmet Mask Papua New Guinea
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Old woven painted basketry yam helmet style mask from Papua New Guinea. Hollow woven form with many layers of red and white pigments from many years of ceremonial use.
Organic Material
Sepik River Mask from Papua New Guinea
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
Antique Basketry mask acquired in the 1950s from the Sepik River Valley of Papua New Guinea.
Clay, Wood, Feathers
Abelam Basketry Yam Mask from Papua New Guinea
Located in Frankfurt, Hessen, DE
Elaborately crafted Abelam mask from the late 20th century. The Abelam people in Papua New Guinea produce two types of basketry masks.
Wicker
Oceanian Bamboo Mask with Long Hair from New Guinea
Located in Pasadena, CA
Ceremonial mask from the Sepik River region of Papua New Guinea, associated with the dance traditions of the Eastern Highlands.
Shell, Natural Fiber, Wood
Sepic River Tribal Masks on Base
Located in New York, NY
Tribal Masks from Sepic River, New Guinea. Priced individually.
Iron
New Ireland Malagan Mask
Located in Hershey, PA
A mask made in a monumental size.
Wood, Shell, Clay, Pigment
Sawos People Yam Ceremonial Mask
Located in 3 Oaks, MI
Intricately woven Yam ceremony mask from the Sawos People with earthen white pigment and feathers surrounding the perimeter. Incredible presence and scale. Displayed on a wooden st...
Decorative Objects in the Style of Sepik River Mask from Papua New Guinea
Located in New York, NY
A striking tribal mask with a beard of natural fibers that add a human quality to the starkness of the wood.
Tribal Yam Mask on Stand
Located in Toronto, ON
This decorative basket yam mask is an integral part of the yam harvest rituals and ceremonies of Papua New Guinea.
Papua New Guinea MEI Mask from Tambanum Village
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A impressive mask, it was mine for the last twenty five years, It look scary, but actually it is to protect you again evil spirit, it is from the middle sepik river, from the Tamba...
Wood, Shell
Vintage Baining Fire Dance Mask, Papua New Guinea
Located in New York, NY
A Baining fire dance helmet mask (Kavat), late 20th century, Gazelle Peninsula, East New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea, Melanesia.
Bamboo, Raffia
Large Antique Mask, Papua New Guinea Oceanic, 19th Century
Located in Studio City, CA
We believe it to be oceanic, perhaps from the Papua New Guinea region but to be perfectly honest are having a tough time placing its exact origins.
Wood
Heavy Oceanic Papua New Guinea or African Carved Wood Mask
Located in Studio City, CA
It was listed as being from Papua New Guinea but could be from another region.
Wood
Large Sepik River Tribe Carved Wood Mask from Papua New Guinea
Located in Studio City, CA
Truly a spectacular piece in Scope and design. Carved by a master wood carver from a single piece of wood and decorated with traditional pigments. This particular mask is from the...
Natural Fiber, Wood
Oceanic Sepik River Gable Figure Sculpture from Papua, New Guinea
Located in New York, NY
From a private collection comes this great Oceanic Papua New Guinea gable figure. This piece is both beautiful from the hand-carving to the symbolism. Gable figures are almost alway...
Wood
Abelam Papua New Guinea Woven Yam Mask
Located in Rochester, NY
An Abelam Papua New Guinea finely woven yam mask decorated with vegetable based pigment paint over clay.
Clay, Paint, Organic Material
Sold
H 13 in W 11.5 in D 3 in
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.
Organic Material
Sold
H 15.5 in W 7.5 in D 6 in L 15.5 in
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 easily hangs on the wall.
Organic Material
Sold
H 18.75 in W 8.5 in D 6.5 in
Woven Basketry Figural Pectoral Chest Ornament Figure Papua New Guinea tusks
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Woven basketry figural pectoral chest ornament with from Papua New Guinea. Woven yam mask style face with traces of red, black and yellow pigments, rings of attached cowrie shells an...
Organic Material
Rare New Guinea Maprik Painted Mask on Palm Frond, Geometric Design
Located in Point Richmond, CA
A very rare mask with faded but still bright yellow, black and red paint on a triangular shaped or carved palm frond, from the Maprik peoples of Papua New Guinea, mid 20th century.
Organic Material
Early 20th Century Extra Large Yam Mask from Paupa New Guinea
Located in Wainscott, NY
Early 20th century extra large yam mask from Paupa New Guinea. Wonderful ceremonial mask on a rather large size for the type of mask mounted with classic Yam mask details.
Reed
Sold
H 9.5 in W 5.5 in D 4.25 in
Two Small Tightly Woven Basketry New Guinea Yam Masks, Incrusted Paints
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Two small tightly woven Basketry New Guinea Yam masks, with incrusted paints and surfaces. Used to decorate large yams during the annual harvest ceremonies. Great expressive small ar...
Organic Material
Papua New Guinea Miniture Mask, Early 20th Century
Located in Hudson, NY
Papua New Guinea miniature mask, early 20th century Vars collection, hew haven, CT.
New Guinea ceremonial mask.
Located in Sleepy Hollow, NY
A carved , painted and adorned New Guinea ceremonial mask . Please see our other posting for some information regarding the four masks we posted today. Probably from the lower Sepik ...
Wood, Paint, Feathers, Shell
New Guinea ceremonial woven grass mask
Located in Sleepy Hollow, NY
A fairly rare ceremonial woven grass mask from New Guinea . Probably the Abelam region. Please read our desription on the other woven mask we have posted for some information. I foun...
New Guinea ceremonial woven grass mask
Located in Sleepy Hollow, NY
One of four New Guinea tribal masks that we recently acquired at an estate auction , from the estate of a family who collected as far back as the 30's in New York City. Apparently it...
Maprik Basketry Mask, Papua New Guinea
Located in Asheville, NC
Sepik river Basket mask, A large Maprik basketry mask, Papua New Guinea, of upright form with pierced eyes, protruding central flange and crest, decorated with ochre, orange and blac...
Large New Guinea Ceremonial Mask
Located in Sleepy Hollow, NY
A fantastic and huge ceremonial mask from New Guinea , possibly lower Sepik region. Please read our postings for 3 other New Guinea masks for some further information. Over 5 feet hi...
Wood, Shell
$800
H 15.5 in W 9 in D 4 in
African Gabon Late 20th Century Carved Wood Galwa Mask with Encircling Snake
Located in Queens, NY
African Gabon Late 20th Century carved wood Galwa mask in tapered ovoid form with overlapping brow, protruding angular nose, geometric eye and mouth holes, 2 side holes plus a styliz...
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 small holes on either side pr...
Wood
Nocturnal Bird Mask, Nigeria, Africa, circa 1950
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Very beautiful mask with large pronounced eyes with the circular cavity shape. The mask depicts a nocturnal bird that can see in the darkness and manifest the presence of divinities ...
Wood
Mende Women's Helmet Mask
Located in Chicago, IL
This helmet mask created by the Mende people of Sierra Leone was made for the women of their tribe to wear while dancing. Commissioned by women for their initiation ceremonies, the m...
Wood
A Hand-carved Wood Hunting mask, Borneo, Indonesia, 20th Century
Located in New York, NY
A hand-carved hunting mask, Borneo, Early to Mid 20th Century. Hand-carved light-colored wood, with red and black enamel accents for the eyes and lips. A patina is present throughout...
Enamel
A fine Kuba Mask - Rustic African Folk Art
Located in Skien, NO
Ngaady aMwaash Mask. African Antique Folk Art Kuba Mask, originating from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Property from a Private Collection. Acquired by a Norwegian Collector...
Softwood
$2,600
H 26 in W 9 in D 10.25 in
Antique Congolese African Tribal Carved Hemba Helmet Mask, Suku Peoples
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce antique African tribal carved Hemba helmet mask, the Suku peoples, possibly Kwese culture, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central Africa, early 20th century, surmounted b...
Raffia, Wood
18/1900s A Fine Bena Lulua Mask - Primitive African Folk Art
Located in Skien, NO
Antique Bena Lulua Mask Late 1800s to Early 1900s – Democratic Republic of the Congo This striking primitive folk art mask hails from the Bena Lulua people of the Democratic Republi...
Softwood
Vintage African Tribal Mask, Hand-Crafted Wood and Shell, 1970s Art
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Intriguing good looking mask artistically made of combination of hand crafted beads ,shells , and hand painted wood. To make such a exceptional object of art for display. Custom-mad...
Shell, Wood, Beads
$1,250
H 14 in W 7.5 in D 7.75 in
African Songye Luba Congo Bwadi Bwa Kifwebe Wood Carved Ceremonial Dance Mask
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful hand carved wood Kifwebe mask created by the Songye and Luba peoples of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Kifwebe mask are used by the Bwadi Bwa Kifwebe secret socie...
Wood, Paint
$2,950
H 12.5 in W 6 in D 7 in
Early Salampasu Warrior's Wood Mask, Zaire, Africa, Early 20th Century ex Willis
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Early carved wood Salampasu Warrior's Mask with black finish, Zaire, Africa early 20th century, remains of black and white pigments, on custom stand. Strong angular cubist mask wit...
Wood
$2,797Sale Price|20% Off
H 11.82 in W 9.45 in D 15.75 in
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, be...
Animal Skin, Organic Material, Wood
African Kifwebe Mask with Pigmented Decoration, Songye People
Located in Nottingham, GB
Among the most iconic sculptural traditions of Central Africa, the Kifwebe masks of the Songye people are celebrated for their striking abstraction and powerful ceremonial presence. ...
Wood
African Baga 'Nimba' Helmet Mask, Carved Elm Tribal Art, 20th Century
Located in Queens, NY
African Guinea 20th Century carved wood iconic Baga \"Nimba\" helmet shoulder mask (AKA \"D\'mba\") representing female energy & fertility, protector of pregnant women. Wear to ...
Elm
African Congo 20th Century Songye Kfwebe Mask, Carved Wood Design
Located in Queens, NY
African Congo 20th Century wood Songye Kfwebe Face Mask (to ward off supernatural threats) carved in circular form with painted decorative geometric grooves, an inlaid beaded pattern...
Paint
Naga Warrior's Ceremonial Headdress, 20th Century
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Man’s Ceremonial Headdress Naga people, Northeast India Probably 19th century Cane, yellow orchard fiber, dyed goat hair plume A handwritten inventory tag on vellum, attached t...
Bamboo, Natural Fiber
$9,500
H 9.5 in W 5.75 in D 3.75 in
Expressive Early Classic Cubist Dan Mask Early 20th Century Liberia, ex Sothebys
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Expressive early classic cubist Dan mask with refined expressive look, narrow open eyes and mouth and fine line scarification marks around outside of face. Created early 20th century...
Wood
African Helmet Mask 'Gelede' from Yoruba Nigeria
Located in San Francisco, CA
Blacked wood helmet mask (Gelede), large human head surmounted by a dog eating a snake which curves around the head. No perforation for attachment to costume from Yoruba, Nigeria. Pu...
Wood
Collection of Handmade Mexican Folk Art Masks
Located in Atlanta, GA
Collection of Handmade Mexican Folk Art Tin Masks, Mexican, circa 1950s. Each mask is unique and extremely detailed. The largest mask measures 21"H x 13"W. The smallest mask measures...
Copper, Tin
20th Century Antique Carved Wood Mask, African Art
Located in Berlin, DE
20th Century Antique Carved Wood Mask, African Art Solid wood, hand-carved, Africa probably century Very decorative. Comes from a Berlin private collection.
Wood
Large Papua New Guinea Sepik River Mask Strong Face
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Large dark reddish brown carved wood mask with underlying traces of red pigment, from New Guinea Sepik River Area. Strong downward looking expression, carved fringe edges. Signs of...
Wood
Papua New Guinea Talipun, Boiken, Sepik River Region
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Papua New Guinea: Talipun, Boiken, Sepik River Region Northern Papua New Guinea, 20th Century A fine example of the rich cultural heritage of Papua New Guinea is this extraordinar...
Shell, Paint, Feathers, Wicker
$603Sale Price / item|46% Off
H 15.36 in Dm 5.91 in
African Katanda Mask – Lega Tribe, DR Congo – Mid 20th Century
Located in Ljubljana, SI
Bring a piece of African heritage into your space with this authentic vintage Katanda mask from the Lega people of DR Congo. Hand-carved in the mid-20th century, this tribal mask is ...
Hardwood
African Lwalwa Tribal Mask
Located in Montreal, QC
African Lwalwa tribal mask enhanced with white pigment on the mouth and ears.
Wood
$600Sale Price|20% Off
H 7.5 in W 6.25 in D 3.75 in
Three Early Miniature Papua New Guinea Sepik Woven Yam Masks on Custom Bases
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Group of three early Papua New Guinea Sepik miniature tightly woven raffia yam mask with areas of heavy yellow and black pigments. Different Bird imagery in each one. Possibly owl,...
Organic Material
West Africa Senufo Cast Bronze Mask Kpelie, Circa 1950s
Located in Torquay, GB
Ancestral Senufo cast bronze face mask (Kpelie) from Côte d'Ivoire West Africa. Made using the lost wax technique. Traditionally, the 'Kpelie' is an ancestral mask worn during funera...
Metal, Bronze
$690
H 8.5 in W 5.25 in D 2.75 in
Early Papua New Guinea Sepik Woven Yam Mask Yellow Pigments on Custom Base
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Early Papua New Guinea Sepik River area tightly woven raffia yam mask with areas of heavy yellow and black pigments. In profile small bird beak form at bottom. Mask is 8 1/2 inches h...
Organic Material
Yam Ancestor Figure TOTEM Pole Papua New Guinea with Provenance
Located in Atlanta, GA
A yam ancestor TOTEM pole from the mid-Sepik River region of Papua New Guinea. Carved out of a solid wood by the Abelam people, who cultivated yams as their main crop, the pole featu...
Wood
$2,360Sale Price|20% Off
H 13 in W 5.5 in D 4.5 in
Early Papua New Guinea Painted Maprik Wood Mask Curves Old Pigments
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Early Papua New Guinea painted Maprik carved hard wood mask. Mid-20th century, with wonderful curved expressive asymmetrical face. Long nose with pierced septum. Faded polychrome pig...
Organic Material, Wood
Abelam "Yam Festival" Mask on Stand from Papua New Guinea
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Papua New Guinea yam festival mask of a horn-billed bird from the mid-20th century. This vintage ceremonial mask, also referred to as a baba mask, originates from the Abelam people...
Iron
$1,050Sale Price|30% Off
H 39 in W 9.5 in D 7 in
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 like these were used by the men'...
Raffia, Hardwood
Pair of Papua New Guinea "Yam Festival" Masks
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Papua New Guinea yam festival masks from the mid 20th century. These vintage ceremonial masks, also referred to as a baba mask, originate from the Abelam people, along the ...
Iron
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.
At Waddesdon Manor, artist Joana Vasconcelos has installed a three-tiered patisserie inspired by the narrative tile work of her homeland. We take a look at the cake sculpture and how Portuguese tiles have been used in architecture from the 17th century to today.
The streets of fin-de-siècle Paris were set aglow with colorful poster ads, thanks to the printing techniques invented by Jules Chéret. Now, the Milwaukee Art Museum is celebrating this undersung talent in America's first solo show dedicated his exuberant works.
Expert Jeff Bridgman explains the history and meaning behind the twinkling constellations that have graced Old Glory.
The iconoclastic style setter displayed African and Oceanic art, as well as works by indigenous peoples of the Americas, alongside pieces by such major modernists as Pablo Picasso and Jackson Pollock.
Perfect for July 4th weekend, a new show at Philadelphia's Museum of the American Revolution displays an array of antique red, white and blue flags.
Designers are beginning to see this enigmatic form of folk art in a whole new light.