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Masks For Sale
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
$2,376 Sale Price
20% Off
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
Antique Thai Tribal Carved Wooden Mask Depicting a Swine with Pierced Eyes
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Thai carved wooden tribal mask from the 19th century depicting a swine with pierced eyes, nostrils, textured ground and weathered appearance. Created in Thailand during th...
Category
19th Century Thai Tribal Antique Masks
Materials
Wood
20th Century Antique Carved Wooden Face Mask, African Folk Art. Hangable.Decorat
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
Trio of Vintage Masks Yombe + Dan Kran African Arts
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tribal art objects.
Hand crafted wood.
Original vintage condition showing wear and patina consistent with age.
Presents well for collections and decor..
Category
Mid-20th Century Congolese Folk Art Masks
Materials
Wood
A Kuosi society elephant mask
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Bamileke, Cameroon, early 20th century
Among the Bamileke people, only members of the Kuosi society (the elephant society) are permitted to perform elephant masquerades, symbolizing...
Category
Early 20th Century Cameroonian Masks
Materials
Cotton, Beads
20th Century Hand-Carved Wood Javanese ‘Wayang Topeng’ Theatre Mask, Indonesia
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This early 20th century ‘Wayang topeng’ mask was used in Javanese masked dance performances. This mask features a black and green polychrome finish on its ...
Category
Early 20th Century Indonesian Other Masks
Materials
Wood
Chokwe Mask, Democratic Republic of The Congo 20th Century
Located in Austin, TX
This exquisite mask, meticulously crafted by the Chokwe people, embodies both spiritual power and artistic finesse. Its design, rooted in tradition, carries layers of meaning that re...
Category
20th Century Congolese Masks
Materials
Wood
Large Vintage Latin American Hispanic Devil Diablo Folk Art Mask with Horns
Located in Studio City, CA
A fantastic piece. Really quite unique. We have not seen another quite like it.
Made from heavy wood and features real horns.
Likely South or Central American or perhaps from Mexico.
Has clear signs of use and age so we are estimating early to mid-20th century.
Would make for a terrific addition to any folk or tribal mask collection...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Masks
Materials
Paint, Wood
Noh Edo Period Lion Mask II
Located in Pasadena, CA
This another superb example of an Edo Period early 18th century or earlier Lion Mask created for the Lion Dances of the Gion Matsuri Festival. The mask is i...
Category
Early 18th Century Japanese Edo Antique Masks
Materials
Wood
Dance mask, Batcham, Cameroon. 20th century.
Located in Stockholm, SE
Dance mask/ sculpture. Known as a Batcham Mask and has its origin in grasslands of Cameroon. Carved wood. 20th century.
With a few flaws and repairs.
Category
20th Century Cameroonian Masks
Materials
Wood
Woven Painted Basketry Old Yam Mask with Sculptural Bird Face, Papua New Guinea
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Early woven painted basketry yam mask from Papua New Guinea. Bug eyed or bird faced mask with heavy incrustation from many years of use, a striking mask that ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Masks
Materials
Organic Material
$1,160 Sale Price
20% Off
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
19th Century Hand-Carved Wood Javanese ‘Wayang Topeng’ Theatre Mask, Indonesia
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A visibly old mask from the Javanese masks theatre ‘wayang topeng’: carved from hard wood, and painted on the front side. This mask is from Cirebon in Ja...
Category
19th Century Indonesian Other Antique Masks
Materials
Wood
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
Aluminium Bull Head
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this Bull Head made in solid aluminium with abstract shapes and ready for hang in your wall.
Category
1980s Mexican Post-Modern Vintage Masks
Materials
Aluminum
$1,000
Beaded Royal Headress with Leopard Figure, Bamileke People, Cameroon
Located in Leuven , BE
The Beaded Royal Headdress is made of a palm tree fibre structure, enfolded with burlap cloth embroided with European glass beads that cover the entire object with geometric symbolic...
Category
20th Century Cameroonian Masks
Materials
Organic Material
Willi Huggler Brutalist Style Carved Wood Mask
By Willi Huggler
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Carved grotesque wood mask with pierced eyes, very hooked nose, cigar between very crooked bone teeth. Label on verso reads, “Willi Huggler (Swiss, 1925...
Category
20th Century Swiss Tribal Masks
Materials
Bone, Wood
Dan Mask from Ivory Coast, Africa, 1950
Located in NICE, FR
This very elegant Dan mask is well-proportioned with a long protruding mouth from Ivory Coast, Africa. It dates back to the 1950s. The base is included in the price.
Dan masks have...
Category
Mid-20th Century Ivorian Tribal Masks
Materials
Wood
Dogon Mask
Located in Montreal, QC
African Dongon Tribal mask. Mali.
Category
1970s Malian Vintage Masks
Materials
Wood
$2,450
Bidjogo Tribal Initiation Ox Mask, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
After oxen were introduced to Guinea Bissau by Portuguese sailors in the 15th century, its strength, aggression, and nobility quickly became integrated i...
Category
Early 20th Century Guinea-Bissauan Tribal Masks
Materials
Hide, Wood
Dance mask, Kifwebe, Songye, Congo
By Songye Tribe
Located in Stockholm, SE
Dance mask/ sculpture. Known as a Kifwebe mask. Songye. Carved wood. 20th century.
With a few flaws and repairs.
Category
20th Century Congolese Masks
Materials
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
Woven Painted Basketry Old Yam Helmet Mask Sculptural Face Papua New Guinea
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Woven painted basketry yam helmet style mask from Papua New Guinea. Hollow woven form with traces of red and white pigments. Would have been put on top of a large yam as a part of th...
Category
Mid-20th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Masks
Materials
Organic Material
$760 Sale Price
20% Off
African Basuku Helmet Mask
Located in Chicago, IL
During their five hundred year history in the Southern Congo, the Basuku tribe developed a series of intricate rituals built around their skilled mask makers. This particular example was most likely carved in the likeness of a deceased chieftain. The artisan intentionally pronounced the eyes, cheeks, and chin to provide a terrifying test for young men as they underwent their rites for manhood. The Basuku's spiritual expressions inspired early 20th century western painters...
Category
20th Century Congolese Tribal Masks
Materials
Wood
African Lwalwa Tribal Mask
Located in Montreal, QC
African Lwalwa tribal mask enhanced with white pigment on the mouth and ears.
Category
1960s Congolese Vintage Masks
Materials
Wood
Early to Mid-20th Century Rosewood Biwa Plectrum, Japan
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Rosewood Plectrum for Biwa, Japan
A beautiful rosewood plectrum used in plucking the strings of a chikuzen-biwa, which is a 4-5 string fretted lute used t...
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Meiji Masks
Materials
Wood
African Futurist Black Tribal Mask by Bomber Bax
Located in Milano, IT
Contemporary African single mask created by the artist Bomber Bax.
The mask dates back to the early 1900s and was subsequently processed and painted in late 2022 by the artist.
The...
Category
Early 1900s Congolese Tribal Antique Masks
Materials
Wood
$2,380 Sale Price
20% Off
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 ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Nigerian Tribal Masks
Materials
Wood
Japanese Theatre Mitsumekozo Theatre Mask Meiji Period, circa 1900
Located in Prahran, Victoria
Unusual Japanese Folk Art theatre mask depicting the playful character Mitsumekozo, a three eyed goblin often portrayed as a mischevious creature in comical plays, late Meiji period,...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Masks
Materials
Wood
$760 Sale Price
20% Off
Kpélié Mask, Sénoufo population, Ivory Coast, 1950
Located in Paris, FR
The Senoufo people inhabit areas spanning southern Mali, southern Burkina Faso, and northern Côte d'Ivoire. They are organized around the poro, a male initiation system where young boys learn their social and religious roles in sacred woods, away from the village. Initiation ceremonies can last up to twenty-one years, and ritual objects are carved by specialized artisans.
The Kpélié mask...
Category
1950s Ivorian Folk Art Vintage Masks
Materials
Wood
Indonesian Wood Mask, Mid-20th Century
Located in New York, NY
A vintage theater mask from Bali, Indonesia, circa 1975-1980.
Polychromed hand-carved teak, mounted on a black metal stand.
This type of mask is used at Indonesian Topeng or Mas...
Category
1970s Indonesian Tribal Vintage Masks
Materials
Teak
Italian Modern Venetian Handmade Blue and Gold Carnival Mask with Feathers
Located in New York, NY
This Folk Art cobalt blue mask is a real Venetian creation, entirely hand-drawn and handcrafted with gold decor and white stone.
Italian Artists have realized this piece in full res...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Folk Art Masks
Materials
Metal, Metallic Thread
Vintage Carved Wood Mask, African Folk Art 20th Century
Located in Bochum, NRW
African mask handmade and carved from a single piece of exotic wood, in a manner specific to the traditional African art. Hand carved wall mask with decorative geometric ornaments, d...
Category
1970s Vintage Masks
Materials
Wood
Set of Eight Framed Masks
Located in Stamford, CT
Eight vintage masks of a rogues' gallery framed in black plastic frames.
Priced as a set.
Category
1960s American Vintage Masks
Materials
Paper
$460 Sale Price
20% Off
Kajiwara Chiryu Japanese Menburyu Mask Depicting Furyu Character
Located in Fukuoka, JP
Presenting a captivating Menburyu mask, originating from Saga Prefecture's traditional temple drama theater in Japan. This particular mask represents the character of Furyu, a male e...
Category
20th Century Japanese Showa Masks
Materials
Wood
19th Century Hand-Carved Wood Javanese ‘Wayang Topeng’ Theatre Mask, Indonesia
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A visibly old mask from the Javanese masks theatre ‘wayang topeng’: carved from hard wood, and painted on the front side. This mask is from Cirebon in Ja...
Category
19th Century Indonesian Other Antique Masks
Materials
Wood
Splendid Seven rams Ntomo Mask, Bamana Population, Mali, 1930-1940
Located in Paris, FR
The Ntomo mask is used during initiation rituals in West Africa. It is identifiable by its horns, which range from three to eight. The Bamana, also known as the Bambara, live in Mali...
Category
1930s Malian Folk Art Vintage Masks
Materials
Shell, Wood
Hand-Carved Wood Javanese ‘Wayang Topeng’ Theatre Mask, Indonesia, c. 1900
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This early 20th century ‘Wayang topeng’ mask was used in Javanese masked dance performances. This mask features a dark red polychrome and resembles a bird-...
Category
Early 20th Century Indonesian Other Masks
Materials
Wood
$1,200 Sale Price
20% Off
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 ...
Category
1940s Papua New Guinean Tribal Vintage Masks
Materials
Cane, Rattan, Wood
Large Japanese Lacquer Mask
Located in New York, NY
Large Japanese lacquer and Papier-Mâché (19th Century) Iki Ningyo mask or sometimes referred to as Noh mask, mounted on custom painted metal base. Trim...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Masks
Materials
Lacquer
African Futurist Silver Mask Created by Bomber Bax
Located in Milano, IT
Eccentric African mask and unique piece created by artist Bomber Bax. Rare and unique piece made by the artist. The mask dates back to the early 1900s and was processed and painted i...
Category
2010s Italian Futurist Masks
Materials
Wood
$2,380 Sale Price
20% Off
Fiber Polychrome Mask Yam Ancestor Papua New Guinea
Located in Atlanta, GA
A well preserved Yam Ancestor mask professionally presented on a museum quality acrylic display stand. The mask was a classic tribal art piece from Abela...
Category
Mid-20th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Masks
Materials
Natural Fiber, Acrylic
1970s Bacchus as Harvest Jester Ceramic Mask Majolica Ceramiche Artistice, Italy
Located in Andernach, DE
Absolutely impressive Bacchus in the shape of a jester carrying a full bounty of the harvest on his head:
there is fiery red pepperoni placed as horns, a juicy plum, lemons and plent...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Baroque Masks
Materials
Ceramic
Indonesian Wood Mask, Mid-20th Century
Located in New York, NY
A vintage theater mask from Bali, Indonesia, circa 1975-1980.
Polychromed hand-carved teak, mounted on a black metal stand.
This type of mask is used at Indonesian Topeng or Mas...
Category
1970s Indonesian Tribal Vintage Masks
Materials
Teak
Dan Mask from Ivory Coast, Africa, 1950
Located in Buffalo, NY
Dan Mask from Ivory Coast, Africa,, MID 20TH CENTURY.. gREAT COLOR / PATINA..
Category
1950s Ivorian Tribal 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
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
1950's Dogon African Dancing mask
Located in Dallas, TX
950's Dogon African Dancing mask with stand
Category
1950s African Vintage Masks
Materials
Wood
African Futurist Gold Mask Created by Bomber Bax
Located in Milano, IT
Single African mask created by artist Bomber Bax.
The mask dates back to the early 1900s and was subsequently processed and painted in late 2022 by the artist.
The artist used spec...
Category
Early 1900s Ivorian Tribal Antique Masks
Materials
Wood
$2,380 Sale Price
20% Off
Dan Gagon, Dance Mask, Ivory Coast, Africa
Located in Stockholm, SE
An african Dan Gabon dance mask. Ivory Coast.
Wood, fur and metal.
Good condition. Signs of wear. Visible marks.
Category
20th Century Ivorian Masks
Materials
Fur, Wood
Tribal mask with feather head-decoration
Located in Munich, DE
Add a touch of culture with this striking tribal mask. Its intricate design and feather decor makes it a captivating decorative piece for any wall.
Category
19th Century Antique Masks
Materials
Wood
Ibo-Izzi, Nigeria Old ‘Ogbodo Enyi’ Elephant Mask
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
This mask type of the Ibo-Izzi, a subgroup of the Ibo, is actually a dance crest. The elephant mask 'ogbodo enyi' is worn horizontally on top of the head...
Category
Early 20th Century Nigerian Tribal Masks
Materials
Wood
Pende-Style Antelope Mask
Located in Chicago, IL
Masks from the Pende people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo are considered some of the most dramatic works of African art. The Pende have defined an extensive range of mask forms, many with distinct characters embodied during ritual ceremony. Colored by red and white pigments, this Pende mask...
Category
Mid-20th Century Congolese Tribal Masks
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century Pende "Circumcision Ceremonial" Mask
Located in Austin, TX
Revel in the mystique of tribal artistry with this Early 20th Century Pende "Circumcision Ceremonial" Mask. This evocative piece, crafted meticulously by hand, showcases the profound...
Category
Early 20th Century Ivorian Masks
Materials
Wood
$448 Sale Price
62% Off
Bwa Butterfly Mask, Africa
Located in Stockholm, SE
Stunning Butterfly Dance mask. Bwa, wich is the area that includes Mali and Burkina faso.
Carved wood. 20th century.
With a few flaws and repairs.
Category
20th Century Malian Masks
Materials
Wood
Carved Wood African Headdress on Later Iron Stand
Located in Buchanan, MI
Carved wood African headdress on later iron stand.
Category
20th Century African Masks
Materials
Wood
Kuba Bwoom 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 this case cowrie shells, hold a long history of use in African art often associated with beauty and spirituality. The Bwoom mask...
Category
Mid-20th Century Congolese Masks
Materials
Copper
$648 Sale Price
64% Off
Mid 20th Century Hand Carved African Fertility Mask, Akan People
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very decorative fertility mask by the Baule tribe, associated with the Akan people who live both in Ghana and in the Ivory Coast. The sides with three...
Category
Mid-20th Century Ivorian Tribal Masks
Materials
Wood
20th Century Antique Carved Wooden Face Mask, African Folk Art. Hangable.Decorat
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
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.