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Masks For Sale
Japanese Signed Showa Hand Carved Wood Noh Theater Mask of Demon Hashihime 橋姫
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful, wonderfully crafted, grotesquely alluring mask made for Japanese Noh theatre. The mask is handcrafted and hand-carved from natural wood and is signed by the maker. Th...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Masks

Materials

Wood, Paint

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

Fang-Style African Painted Mask
Located in Chicago, IL
Light masks like these represented the spirit of an ancestor and were used for social control by Ngil, the judiciary association. The facial markings, abstract features and strong, e...
Category

Mid-20th Century Gabonese Tribal Masks

Materials

Wood

Iatmul People "Mei" Mask Sepik River New Guinea
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A large and powerfully carved Ceremonial Mask from New Guinea. In mineral paints with Cowrie Shell Eyes. Collected in Kaminabit, Middle Sepik Region, Papua New Guinea. The Mei is t...
Category

20th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Masks

Materials

Wood, Paint

African Kuba Helmet Mask on Stand
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Helmet Mask known as Bwoon from the Kuba Tribe in the Kasai region of Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central Africa circa mid-20th century. The carved wood mask was decorated with copper plates on the face, and lavished embellished with trade beads, raffia cloth with cowrie shells and hanging seed pods, fur possibly from monkey. The surface and the interior both display good patina indicates a native use (contact rubbing) and age. Bwoom is one of three types of royal Kuba masks...
Category

20th Century Congolese Tribal Masks

Materials

Copper

Japanese Antique Tengu's Face / Objet / 1868-1912s / Wabi-sabi Mingei
Located in Iwate-gun Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate Prefecture
This is the old Tengu surface that was used in the Kyushu region of Japan. It is thought to be from around the Meiji period. Tengu noodles are said to be an amulet, a blessing, and...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Masks

Materials

Wood

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

Vintage Folk Art Style Wood Mask
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Exceptional artistically hand carved wood mask hand painted made of single piece of wood and was made for decorative purpose. Very intriguing and...
Category

20th Century African Masks

Materials

Wood

"Ruby" Helmet for Christian Dior
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Extremely rare Christian Dior / ruby Ruby helmet for Christian Dior. Helmet designed for the decoration of Dior boutiques and which has never been comme...
Category

2010s French Masks

Materials

Steel

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

africa 3
Located in Berlin, DE
20th Century Antique Carved Wooden Face Mask, African Folk Art. Hangable.Decorative Solid wood, hand-carved, Africa probably 20th century The face ...
Category

20th Century African Masks

Materials

Wood

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

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

Antique Set of Mexican Papier-Mâché Masks 3
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960. We offer this antique set of 6 Mexican papier-mâché masks 100% handmade and paited with anilina (natural pigments).
Category

1960s Mexican Folk Art Vintage Masks

Materials

Paper

Chinese Folk Wood Dance Mask with Beard large Ears traces of paint China
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Carved wood dance mask from China with open expression, attached moustache and beard, large ears. Traces of many layers of paint, including red, blue, black and white pigments. Ex- ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Tribal 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

Baga Altar Figure or Mask Guinea
Located in San Mateo, CA
Baga anok altar mask from Guinea. This is probably last quarter of the 20th century and made for the collector market. Large piece and great form.
Category

Late 20th Century Guinean Tribal Masks

Materials

Wood

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

Antique Set of Mexican Papier-Mâché Masks
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960. We offer this antique set of 6 Mexican papier-mâché masks 100% handmade and paited with anilina (natural pigments).
Category

1960s Mexican Folk Art Vintage Masks

Materials

Paper

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

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

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

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

African Mask, Angola, 20th Century
Located in Berlin, DE
African mask in hand painted wood, 20th century Angola.
Category

20th Century Angolan Masks

Materials

Wood

Chinese Folk Wood Dance Mask with Open Eyes Red Lips Traces of Paint China
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Carved hard wood dance mask from China with powerful expression, open eyes. Traces of many layers of paint, including red green black and white pigments. Ex- private collection in C...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese 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, featuring two very small eye holes. For the Timorese people masks portray both male and female ancestors, worn by warri...
Category

Early 20th Century Indonesian Other Masks

Materials

Wood

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

Large Woven Painted Basketry Wall Mask Blackwater Rivers, Papua New Guinea
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Large woven painted basketry wall mask created in Blackwater Rivers area, Papua New Guinea. With open expressive mouth and mask fringed with feathers, striking mask that easily hang...
Category

Mid-20th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Masks

Materials

Organic Material

Bespoke Italian Mondrian Style Blue Green Red Black Murano Glass Mask Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Unique Venetian Murano glass 3D Modern mask, exclusive to Cosulich Interiors & Antiques, Mondrian inspired, realized in several block colors, aqua blue, turquoise, lime green, red, o...
Category

2010s Italian Post-Modern Masks

Materials

Art Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine

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

African Nafana Bedu Large Moon Plank Zoomorphic Geometric Wood Sculpure Mask
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful, quite large and heavy, colorful Bedu plank mask by the Nafana (Senufo) tribe who reside in the central north-west of Ghana and the north-east of...
Category

20th Century Ghanaian Masks

Materials

Wood, Paint

Older Yoruba African Carved and Painted Mask, Labeled
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An older small scale mask carved and painted white (now worn) with painted blue and black features and a black top knot. Marked on interior tape, “Yoruba”. The Mask with good age, fa...
Category

Mid-20th Century African Tribal Masks

Materials

Wood

Baule Painted Ram Mask
Located in Chicago, IL
The Baule people of the Ivory Coast used ram masks in secular, public performances. Realistically carved, and wonderfully decorated, they were designed to draw attention and enhance ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Ivorian Tribal Masks

Materials

Wood

Early 20th Century Large Tribal Shield
Located in Sheffield, MA
Highly decorative and impressive shields from the buttress-like roots and/or trunks of mangrove trees. The soft mangrove wood is well suited to be proces...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Tribal Masks

Materials

Wood

Japanese Signed Showa Hand Carved Wood Noh Theater Mask of Buddhist Monk Shunkan
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautifully carved, wonderfully crafted, highly engaging mask made for Japanese Noh theatre. The mask is handcrafted and hand carved from natural wood and is signed and sealed b...
Category

20th Century Japanese Showa Masks

Materials

Wood

Geisha Wig & Nô Theater 1 Mask
Located in Paris, FR
Mask Geisha Wig & Nô Theater 1, with real natural hair Geisha wig on head model and with Nô Theater white painted wood mask. Measures: Base: 28,5 x...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Masks

Materials

Wood

Bamileke elephant mask
Located in Diest, BE
Elephants are often associated with political power in the highly stratified kingdoms of the Cameroon grasslands. Because imported beads were historically rare and costly, beadwork i...
Category

1950s Cameroonian Vintage Masks

Materials

Korhogo Cloth, Natural Fiber, Raffia, Beads

Powerful Early Classic Cubist Wood Standing Bobo Fing Figure Africa Ex J. Willis
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Powerful early cubist carved wood standing female figure from the Bobo-Fing of Burkina Faso, Africa. Created early 20th century. Ex private collection Texas, originally acquired from James Willis...
Category

Early 20th Century Liberian Tribal Masks

Materials

Wood

Contemporary Folk Art Style Wood Mask
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Exceptional hand carved wood mask with graphic elements, made of a single piece of wood and was made for decorative purposes. Very intriguing and...
Category

20th Century African Masks

Materials

Wood, Lucite

Old Stone Axe With Carved Face, Pierced Nose, Papua New Guinea on custom Base
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Early hand carved stone axe with face, long nose with pierced nostrils, framed by loose oval form. Round eyes and slit mouth. Old worn surface. 8 1/2 inches high, early to mid 20th...
Category

Mid-20th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Masks

Materials

Stone

Japanese Okame Ko-Omote Wood Carved Noh Theater Mask
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful, wonderfully crafted, alluring mask made for Japanese Noh theatre. This mask is handcrafted and carved from natural wood. Ko-omote translates as "little mask" or sometimes "small face." This particular delicate featured mask (her red lips really stand out) is used for main and sometimes secondary roles when the character is a young girl or, in some cases, a supernatural being. What is also interesting about this mask is the blackened teeth which centuries ago, was customary for Japanese women to paint their teeth black after they became married. We believe this mask dates from the mid-to early Showa period, perhaps Mejia. The mask was acquired from an antique mask...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Masks

Materials

Wood

A Kendo Mask & Bust Protection Japan 1930s
Located in HYÈRES, FR
A Kendo mask and bust protection. Japan 1930s. Very good patina. In original good condition
Category

1930s Japanese Vintage Masks

Materials

Leather, Fabric, Rope, Wood

African Salampasu Helmet Mask
Located in Astoria, NY
African Salampasu Helmet Mask, carved wood, copper, and raffia, together with metal stand. Mask: 25" H x 10.75" W x 9" D. Provenance: From a Sutton Place Estate.
Category

Early 20th Century Congolese Masks

Materials

Copper

Antique Yao Shaman's Mask
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Yao Shaman's Mask Guizhou Province, China Early 20th Century Wood,horse hair, printed paper, nails Size: 13 1/2" x 8" (34 x 20 cm) On a custom made metal stand. Covered inside and o...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Tribal Masks

Materials

Organic Material, Wood, Paper

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

Vintage Leather Mask
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Leather Mask Italian, circa 1960, signed
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Masks

Materials

Leather

African Akuaba Fertility Mask
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a fertility mask called an AKUABA. It's a ceremonial mask of the Akan tribe of Ghana.
Category

Late 20th Century Ghanaian Tribal Masks

Materials

Metal

Clay Mask, 1960s Italy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic sculptural clay mask wall art made in Italy. Hand made in an aged adobe color with a short rope which ties off on the face of the mask. Hangs from a single screw making ins...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Masks

Materials

Clay, Rope

Salampasu Mask
Located in Chicago, IL
This ceremonial African mask is linked to the Salampasu people of the Bantu ethnic group located primarily in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Salampasu masks...
Category

Mid-20th Century Congolese Folk Art Masks

Materials

Wood, Bamboo

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

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.
Category

20th Century African Masks

Materials

Wood

Kuba Mweel Mask
Located in Austin, TX
"Residing in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Kuba people are true artisans whose craftsmanship fueled traditional rituals, performances, and storytelling. Natural materials, in...
Category

Mid-20th Century Congolese Masks

Materials

Shell, Burlap, Wood

Kuba Mweel Mask
Kuba Mweel Mask
$464 Sale Price
69% Off
Collection of Japanese and Chinese Masks
Located in Atlanta, GA
Collection of eight Japanese and Chinese masks, circa 1950s or earlier. These were recently purchased from the Manhattan estate of a Japanese man who travel...
Category

1950s Japanese Chinoiserie Vintage Masks

Materials

Metal

Antique Carved Wood Mask
Located in Vienna, AT
Carved Wood Mask, African Art
Category

20th Century Beninese Masks

Materials

Hardwood

Nepal Citipati Wood Dance Mask with Open Eyes Mouth Teeth, Black Skull Mask
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Oval wood dance mask from Nepal with powerful expression, open eyes and oval mouth with finely carved teeth. Heavy projecting cheek bones. This mask represents the Tibetan and Nepal...
Category

Late 19th Century Nepalese Tribal Antique Masks

Materials

Wood

Chinese Folk Wood Dance Mask with Smiling Expression Traces of Paint from China
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Carved wood dance mask from China with smiling expression, large square hat or headdress. Traces of many layers of paint, including red, blue, black and white pigments. Darkened pat...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Tribal Masks

Materials

Wood

Ceramic Mask by N Dala, Congo, 1970s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Beautiful ceramic mask by N. Dala. Democratic Republic of the Congo Perfect original conditions, 1975.
Category

Mid-20th Century Congolese Mid-Century Modern Masks

Materials

Ceramic, Terracotta

An Impressive Primitive Ceramic Mask by Les Potiers D'Accolay France 1970's
Located in HYÈRES, FR
An Impressive Primitive Ceramic Mask by Les Potiers D'Accolay France 1970's Rare piece of this size. Nice colors. Signed " Accolay " in the back. In good condition.
Category

1970s French Vintage Masks

Materials

Ceramic

Two Antique Indian Papier-Mâché Hand Painted Face Masks Depicting Brides
Located in Yonkers, NY
Two antique Indian papier-mâché hand painted face masks from the early 20th century, depicting Indian brides. They are priced and sold individually. Featuring a polychrome finish made of ocher, red and black tones, each of these face masks depicts an Indian bride. Touching us with the simplicity of their execution, they showcase traditional red jewels adorning the brides' foreheads and curly strings of hair on the cheeks. The eyebrows, mouths and noses are represented in an archaic manner that gives great presence to the ensemble. With their fascinating décor and small proportions, these Indian papier-mâché face...
Category

Early 20th Century Indian Masks

Materials

Other

Dan-Guéré Mask, fist half of the XXth century
Located in Paris, FR
The Dan, a sub-tribe of the Dan-Nguere, inhabit eastern Liberia, Guinea Conakry, and Côte d'Ivoire. Their social and spiritual structure is based on the secret society Poro, which me...
Category

Early 20th Century Ivorian Art Deco Masks

Materials

Bronze

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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