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Masks For Sale
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 ...
Category
1950s Congolese Tribal Vintage Masks
Materials
Hardwood
Set of 4 Detailed Wood Carving Alpine Gnome Dwarf Faces Austria Alps Folk Art
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Set of four rustic Folk Art carved wood face mountain man. This is a wonderful example of Austrian carving. This can be used as a Wall decoration in y...
Category
1960s German Folk Art Vintage Masks
Materials
Wood
Vintage African Wood and Shell Mask
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...
Category
1970s African Tribal Vintage Masks
Materials
Shell, Wood, Beads
Carnival of Venice Four Vintage Hanging Tiles
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Set of four hand made and painted tiles professionally framed it wood frame , depicting caricatures from The Carnival of Venice. Which is annual festival held in
Venice, Italy.
The festival is world-famous for its
elaborate masks. The celebration takes place over ten days in which people dress up and take part in organized parades or simple processions on the street. The costumes are seventeenth-century Venetian dresses.
Category
20th Century Italian Masks
Materials
Composition
$575 Sale Price / set
35% Off
Japanese Signed Hand Carved Wood Noh Theater Mask of Doji, Early Showa Period
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful, wonderfully crafted, alluring mask made for Japanese Noh theatre.
The mask is handcrafted and hand-carved from natural wood and is signed by the maker.
This mask is of the immortal character Doji who symbolizes perpetual and eternal youth ("doji" literally translates as "child") in the Noh theater world. He is portrayed as a handsome male...
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Masks
Materials
Wood
Vintage Pair of Venetian Masquerade Masks on Opera Sticks
Located in Miami, FL
A pair of Folk Art jester masks that are original Venetian creations, entirely hand-drawn and handcrafted, circa 2000. Italian Artists have realized these pieces with respect of craftsmanship traditions and following original designs developed in Venice for “Commedia dell'Arte” during the late 17th century.
The coated papier mâché faces...
Category
20th Century Italian Folk Art Masks
Materials
Gold, Brass, Metallic Thread
Japanese Antique Edo Hand Carved Wood Noh Theater Mask Otobide 17th-18th Century
Located in Studio City, CA
A truly beautiful, wonderfully aged, alluring mask made for Japanese Noh theater. The naturally faded beauty and unique character drew us to this mask immediately.
The mask is handcrafted and hand-carved from natural wood, clearly by a master of his trade.
We believe this mask is of the Noh theatre character Otobide.
This mask dates back to the Edo Period (1603-1868). It comes with a wooden storage box (which may have been added at a later date).
A rare, unique, and exquisite mask. Finely carved and executed. Would be a great addition to any Japanese or Asian art/artifacts collection or an eye-catching stand-alone accent piece in about any setting.
Mask dimensions: 7.7" high, 5.7" wide, 2.1" deep...
Category
18th Century Japanese Edo Antique Masks
Materials
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
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 by the Dan People...
Category
Early 20th Century Liberian Tribal Masks
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century Hand-Carved Wood Tribal Mask from Atoni Tribe Timor
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This very flat mask originates from the Atoni people of Timor. For the Timorese people masks portray both male and female ancestors, worn by warriors to scare off enemies or during c...
Category
Early 20th Century Indonesian Other Masks
Materials
Wood
Woman’s Gucci Pony Hair Belt with Brass Buckle
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Woman’s Gucci pony hair belt with brass buckle.
Category
Early 2000s Masks
Materials
Brass
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
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
1950s Mexican Folk Art Vintage Masks
Materials
Wood, Paint
Japanese Signed Showa Carved Wood Kyogen Noh Theater Raccoon Dog Tanuki Mask
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful, wonderfully crafted, quite engaging mask made for Japanese Kyogen Noh theatre.
This mask is quite rare much like the Kitsune fox mask which this is sometimes confused f...
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Masks
Materials
Wood, Paint
African Dan Yakuba Guard Mask Small Shells and Bells from the Ivory Coast 1970s
Located in Salzburg, AT
African Dan Yakuba Guard Mask Small Shells and Bells from the Ivory Coast 1970s
Female wooden mask with rich decoration of textile elements, small shells and ceramic beads.
The mouth...
Category
1970s Ivorian Tribal Vintage Masks
Materials
Iron
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"...
Category
1950s Mexican Folk Art Vintage Masks
Materials
Copper, Tin
$2,500 / set
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
Antique Set of Mexican Papier-Mâché Masks 2
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960. We offer this antique set of 5 Mexican papier-mâché masks 100% handmade and paited with anilina (natural pigments).
Category
1960s Mexican Folk Art Vintage Masks
Materials
Paper
Old Bulu Cameroon Singe Mask Large
Located in Torquay, GB
On offer is a rare large sized 'Singe' Monkey mask from the Bulu people of south central Cameroon. The Bulu are a sub-group of the Cameroon Fang, having originated from Gabon.
This...
Category
Mid-20th Century Cameroonian Tribal Masks
Materials
Wood
Tribal Style Songye Kifwebe Mask, D. R. Congo
Located in Point Richmond, CA
This graphic Songye Kifwebe mask has fine carved lines curved over the eyes and diagonal lines radiating from the nose and mouth in classic Kifwebe form. ...
Category
Late 20th Century Congolese Tribal Masks
Materials
Wood
Japanese Signed Waka-Onna or Ko-Omote Wood Carved Noh Theater Mask, Showa 1900s
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful, wonderfully crafted, alluring mask made for Japanese Noh theater.
This mask is handcrafted and hand-carved from natural wood and signed/sealed by the maker on the underside.
This mask is the mask of Waka-Onna - or young beautiful woman. It may be that of Ko-omote. Ko-omote translates as "little mask" or sometimes "small face...
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Masks
Materials
Wood, Paint
Old Igbo Helmet Mask, Agbogho Mmuo Masquerade
Located in Torquay, GB
A superb Igbo Nigeria helmet mask 'Agbogho Mmuo" or Maiden Spirit.
Worn as masqurades during funerals, cleansing rituals, harvest festivals, weddings and ...
Category
Early 20th Century Nigerian Tribal Masks
Materials
Wood, Paint
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. Crafted from wood, cowrie shells, clay, pigment, and p...
Category
Mid-20th Century Papua New Guinean Primitive Masks
Materials
Shell, Natural Fiber, Wood
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
$1,031 Sale Price / set
26% Off
Songye Kifwebe Mask University Museum Plaster Cast
By Songye Tribe
Located in Sharon, CT
Perfectly accurate plaster cast reproduction of perhaps the most recognizable Songye Kifwebe mask. A Pennsylvania University Museum cast of their famous mask.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Tribal Masks
Materials
Plaster
Set of 4 Vintage Mexican Wrestling Fighters Figures
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this fantastic set of 4 Mexican wrestling fighters, made in plastic and hand painted, circa 1970. Excellent vintage conditions.
Category
1970s Mexican Folk Art Vintage Masks
Materials
Paint, Plastic
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
Rare 2 Faced Twin Lega Mask DRC Large Sized
Located in Torquay, GB
Rare large twin faced Lega mask of the Bwami society in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), circa 1930s.
This mask is very rare in that it is a large size ceremonial mask and would h...
Category
Mid-20th Century Congolese Tribal Masks
Materials
Wood, Paint
Collection of Worldwide Traveler's Hand Carved Folk Art Masks
Located in Atlanta, GA
Collection of worldwide traveler's hand carved folk art masks, circa 1940s - 1970s, possibly earlier. We purchased the estate of an Atlanta Coca Cola executive, who traveled the worl...
Category
1950s Balinese Folk Art Vintage Masks
Materials
Wood
'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
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
Ceramic Mask, Accolay, France, 1960s
Located in Paris, FR
Ceramic Mask, Accolay, France, 1960s
Accolay was a pottery center in France, north of Burgundy, founded amongst others, by 4 students of Alexandre Kostanda. Active between 1945 and ...
Category
1960s French Vintage Masks
Materials
Ceramic
Signed Terracotta “Greek Theater” Mask
Located in Bradenton, FL
A handmade terracotta pottery art ‘Greek Theatre’ style mask. Angular features are decorated with cerulean blue and olive-green highlights. Arched eyebrows give the look of cat ears,...
Category
Late 20th Century Folk Art Masks
Materials
Terracotta
Set of Six Vintage French Three Dimensional Masks
Located in Stamford, CT
Very animated face masks from the 1940s. Three dimensional.
Category
1940s French Vintage Masks
Materials
Composition
$360 Sale Price / set
20% Off
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
$2,821 Sale Price
20% Off
African Mask with Spears 1990s
Located in Ljubljana, SI
African Mask with Spears 90s. It is a rare set.
Carved from one piece.
Spears are ultra light - height 152 cm.
Category
1990s Cameroonian Tribal Masks
Materials
Brass
$4,683 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Antique Black Forest Folk Art Alpine Devil Dwarf Wooden Carved Mask, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful black forest Folk Art wood carved mask. This is a wonderful example of black forest carving. This can be used as a Wall decoration or as...
Category
1930s Austrian Black Forest Vintage Masks
Materials
Wood
Hand-Carved Wood Javanese ‘Wayang Topeng’ Theatre Mask, Indonesia c. 1900
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. The mask shows clear traces of ...
Category
Early 20th Century Indonesian Other Masks
Materials
Wood
$1,200 Sale Price
20% Off
Balinese Hand-carved Mask Depicting Mythological 'Rangda' Demon Queen, c. 1900
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This hand-carved mask originates from the island of Bali and depicts Rangda, the Demon Queen of Balinese Hindu Mythology. This mask would've been used in ceremonies and/or dance perf...
Category
Early 20th Century Balinese Other Masks
Materials
Wood
Large Vintage Display Mask, African, Ironwood, Hand Carved, Ceremonial, Tribal
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a large vintage display mask. An African, hand carved ironwood ceremonial tribal mask, dating to the late 20th century.
Superb decorative appeal, with a delightfully naive ...
Category
Late 20th Century Malawian Tribal Masks
Materials
Wood
Four rams Ntomo Mask, Bamana Population, Mali
Located in Paris, FR
The Ntomo mask is used during initiation rituals for youths in Bamana societies of West Africa. It is recognizable by its upper part shaped like a comb, with three to eight horns sym...
Category
20th Century Malian Folk Art Masks
Materials
Shell, Wood
Late 19th/Early 20th Century Carved Hannya Noh Devil Mask Curio
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A rather cheeky looking carved and stained wood devil mask, turn off the century in age.
Possibly reference to the Hannya Noh Mask used within Japanese th...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Masks
Materials
Pine
Old wooden mask from southern China/lion mask/ritual item//Festival Mask
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Masks have been created around the world since ancient times, deeply connected to the human spirit. Many performing arts involving masks, where the wearer transforms into another bei...
Category
20th Century Chinese Other Masks
Materials
Wood
Japanese Signed Hand Carved Wood Noh Theater Omi-Onna Mask with Custom Box 1900s
Located in Studio City, CA
A truly beautiful, wonderfully crafted, alluring female mask made for the Japanese Noh theatre.
This mask is handcrafted and carved from natural wood and lacquer.
Omi-Onna's (...
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Masks
Materials
Wood
Signed Monumental Folk Art Rouge Taxidermy Headdress Mask
Located in Forney, TX
A magnificent American folk art headdress mask by P.J. Stover, signed, titled "Visions", circa 2008. Remarkably executed, the eclectic, sculptural mixed media wall hanging display is...
Category
Early 2000s American Native American Masks
Materials
Antler, Fur, Leather, Beads, Feathers
A woven wicker donkey head wall mask – 1970s - France
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A beautiful wall mask made from woven esparto grass, depicting a donkey’s head. This rare piece of folk art from the South of France dates back to the 1970s. Entirely handcrafted, it...
Category
1970s French French Provincial Vintage Masks
Materials
Natural Fiber
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 celebration is a full blown...
Category
1970s Mexican Tribal Vintage Masks
Materials
Wood, Paint
Vintage Display Mask, African, Ironwood, Carved, Ceremonial, Tribal, Decorative
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage display mask. An African, carved ironwood ceremonial tribal mask, dating to the late 20th century.
Fascinating ridged carvings accentuate this distinctive mask
Di...
Category
Late 20th Century Malawian Tribal Masks
Materials
Wood
Antique Chokwe Mask, Central African, Carved Hardwood, Tribal, Victorian, C.1900
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique Chokwe mask. A Central African, carved hardwood tribal face mask, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900.
Fascinating t...
Category
Late 19th Century African Late Victorian Antique Masks
Materials
Hardwood
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 funeral rites, initiation ceremonies, weddings and births.
The function of the mask is determined by the crest at the top of it's head and the subtle scarification markings it carries.
The female mask will normally have a plug on it's mouth with the male masks having an open mouth and longer protruding jaw.
It is believed that the mask itself embodies the spirit of the dead, hence the name 'Dead Face'
The delicate attributes of this mask is a fine example of the excellent artistry of the Senufos.
This is a male Senufo Mask...
Category
Mid-20th Century Ivorian Tribal Masks
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Ancestral Dan Mask 'Deangle' with Cowrie Shells Large
Located in Torquay, GB
Large sized Dan Mask ('Deangle', 'Dan Gle') from Côte d’Ivoire W.Affrica, circa early 20th century.
To the Dan people, the 'Deangle' embodies the spirit of an individual ancestor d...
Category
Mid-20th Century Ivorian Tribal Masks
Materials
Wood, Paint
Angola Chokwe Mask Revisited by Bomber Bax
Located in Milano, IT
Beautiful classic Chokwe mask genre that honours female founding ancestors. Such representations are particularly significant as the Chokwe trace the descent through the lines of their mothers. This is thought to be a dance mask with a net and wood hairstyle, from the Batshokwe people skilled in the art of carving and of very ancient origin belonging to the culture of the divine monarchy.
The Batshokwe sculptors were the most famous in the region, masters in geometric decorations such as the depiction of scarifications and tooth deformations, the surfaces of their works were carefully smoothed and polished.
On the forehead of the mask, the classic chinge-lyengelye scarification is clearly visible, commonly interpreted as a variant of the Portuguese cross...
Category
Early 1900s Angolan Tribal Antique Masks
Materials
Wood
$2,351 Sale Price
20% Off
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
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 fr...
Category
1940s Mexican Tribal Vintage Masks
Materials
Wood
Rustic Antique Wooden Carved Burmese Puppet Head
Located in Stockbridge, GB
Antique Burmese Carved Puppet Head- A
A decorative carved wood and painted Burmese puppet head with glass eyes. Believed to be from the 19th century. It ...
Category
19th Century Burmese Rustic Antique Masks
Materials
Teak
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
Japanese Asian Wood Shi Shi Shishi Mai Lion Dance Gashira Noh Mask Sculpture
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful, beautifully crafted Japanese festival Shishi Lion Dance (Shishi Mai) mask (Gashira).
The shishi mask represents a mythical lion that prote...
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Masks
Materials
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Moche Copper Bronze Mask
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
A large coper mask of a dignitary with almond shaped, inset shell eyes with pupils and a wide brim type crown. Attached at the brow line, a row of danglers is suspended, aligning the...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Peruvian Pre-Columbian Antique Masks
Materials
Copper
$18,750
Very Important “Nwantantay” African Dance Mask
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Very important “Nwantamtay” dance African mask, consisting of three sections: The upper in plain rectangular shape surmounted by a crescent shape moon, the middle with beautiful geometric triangles in black bitumen and white kaolin, surrounding a red cruciform in the centre of remarkable contrasting colors, and the lower part or face inscribed in a circular space that inspired numbered great artists like Joan Miro, Picasso and Henry Moore of a very strongly solar symbolism, with a projecting protuberance emanating from the forehead like a sculpted bird beak, that descents toward the mouth. Concentric eyes harmonize with the circular mouth, both with of elegant proportions. The whole mask exudes a supreme harmony and perfect balance rarely seen in this pieces. The back-side presents nice ware that attested the ancient origin and traces of animistic ceremonies as the use of animal blood residues. The painting of brown bitumen or cola, the natural colorants in red and ocher tones and the white kaolin are original and do not show any repainted or restored areas, giving a freshness rarely seen in old pieces. This exceptional mask Bwa, of the Hound`e Region in Burkina-Fasso, was used it the transit ceremonies and funerals manifesting the presence of “Do”, name given to their God sons, protectors and powerful spirits. The round face also represents an owl, the curving beak of the bird plants a seed into the sun, like a female sexual vulva being fecundated by the male organ; the eternal symbol of Ying and Yang, masculine and feminine, and the quest of life and death. This mask of Primitive facture can be compared to the one in the celebrated Verite Collection (this one being larger) sold in Paris at the Hotel Drouot, Saturday June 17, Lot 59, for 80,000 Euros and remarkably stands out from the Pierre and Tannia Matisse sold in Sotheby’s, New York in May 13, 2011. Another similar piece was published in: “Arman et l’art africain...
Category
Early 20th Century Burkinabe Primitive Masks
Materials
Wood
Fine Chinese Carved Wooden Face Mask, ca 1900-1940
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Ca 1900-1940 Fine Chinese Carved Wooden Face Mask China.
Additional information:
Material: Wood
Region of Origin: China
Period: 19th century
China Dynasty Period: Qing (1661 - 1912)...
Category
20th Century Chinese Qing Masks
Materials
Wood
Antique Mexican Demon Mask
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this rare antique Mexican Demon mask in wood, circa 1970. The mask makes a sound when moved.
Category
1970s Mexican Folk Art Vintage Masks
Materials
Wood
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.