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Masks For Sale
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
Geisha Wig & Nô Theater 2 Mask
Located in Paris, FR
Mask Geisha Wig & Nô Theater 2, with real natural hair Geisha wig
on head model and with Nô Theater natural wood mask.
Base: 28,5x26,3cm.
Category
1950s Japanese Vintage Masks
Materials
Wood
A Primitive Ceramic Mask by Fernand Elchinger France 1960's
By Elchinger
Located in HYÈRES, FR
A Primitive Ceramic Mask by Fernand Elchinger France 1960's.
Rare piece.
Nice colours and beautiful expression
Can be base-mounted or wall-mounted
Unsigned.
To report : two slig...
Category
1960s French Vintage Masks
Materials
Ceramic
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
Baule Male Ndoma Portrait Mask on Mount
By Baule Tribe
Located in Chicago, IL
To relieve stress and uplift their Community, the Baule people of modern-day Côte d'Ivoire engage in a daylong masquerade known as the Mblo. A series of dances that escalate in compl...
Category
20th Century Ivorian Tribal Masks
Materials
Wood
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
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
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
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
Ancient Roman Theatre Mask Myra No:2 Museum Replica, Cultured Marble
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
It was found in the ancient city of Myra in Antalya, Turkey. It was used as a mask in theaters during the Roman period.
The city of Myra, one of the six most important cities that w...
Category
2010s Turkish Classical Greek Masks
Materials
Statuary Marble
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
Early 20th Century Hand-Carved Wood Javanese ‘Wayang Topeng’ Mask, Indonesia
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This bright orange mask depicts a mythical being inspired by Javanese folklore. It was used in masked performances known as ‘wayang topeng’. The mask’s age is present in the fading o...
Category
Early 20th Century Indonesian Other 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 century
The face mask ...
Category
20th Century African Masks
Materials
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
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
Japanese Okina Noh Mask Old Male with Long White Beard Expressing Wisdom
Located in Fukuoka, JP
Singed Okina Noh mask old male with long white beard expressing wisdom
Mid 20 th century
Size: 15 x 19 x8 cm ( 6x 7.5 x 3 inch )
Weight: 230g ( 0.5 lb )
Material: wood with go...
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Masks
Materials
Wood
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
Javanese 'Wayang Topeng", Theatre Mask, Indonesia, Early 20th Century
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This mask from Java depicts a mythical creature which would have been used in ‘Wayang Topeng’ dance performances. It features handles which are used to open and close the creatures m...
Category
Early 20th Century Indonesian Other Masks
Materials
Wood
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
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
Indonesian Demon Mask
Located in Munich, DE
Invoke mystery and tradition with this antique Chinese demon mask. Rich in detail and history, it’s a captivating piece that brings an aura of ancient folklore to any space.
Category
20th Century Masks
Materials
Glass, 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
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
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 ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Sierra Leonean Tribal 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
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 1...
Category
1960s French Vintage Masks
Materials
Ceramic
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
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 1...
Category
1960s French Vintage Masks
Materials
Ceramic
Pre-Columbian Funerary Gold Mask with Royal Turquoise Beads in its Eyes
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
A high karat heavy sheet gold human face mask with large almond-shaped eyes and recessed pierced pupils. Multiple small perforations along the upper and lower edges for attachment. L...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Ecuadorean Pre-Columbian Antique Masks
Materials
Gold
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
Antique Carved Wood Mask
Located in Vienna, AT
Carved Wood Mask, African Art
Category
20th Century Beninese Masks
Materials
Hardwood
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
Mid-Century Teak Mask with Stand
Located in PARIS, FR
Rare teak mask, mid-century.
Category
1950s Vintage Masks
Materials
Teak
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
19th Century Japanese Lava Stone Mask
Located in Vancouver, BC
A sculpture of great presence. It’s difficult to say when this work was created, but judging by the erosion of the stone - and the delicate nature and almost mold like features of the lips, nose and eyebrows, it’s safe to suggest that this has been around for a very long time.
I sourced this from a small area north of Tokyo which leads me to believe this is Black Fuji Stone. The distinct formed and structured Japanese Fuji...
Category
Mid-19th Century Japanese Arts and Crafts Antique Masks
Materials
Stone, Lava
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
Black and orange tribal mask
Located in Munich, DE
Add a touch of culture with this striking tribal mask. Its intricate design makes it a captivating decorative piece for any wall.
Category
19th Century Antique 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
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
Carved and Painted Wood Architectural Element in the Form of a Mask "Green Man"
Located in Stamford, CT
A carved and painted wood "Green Man" mask from a facade of a mansion near Seattle, late 19th century. The Green Man is a legendary being primarily interpreted as a symbol of rebir...
Category
1890s American Folk Art Antique Masks
Materials
Wood
Dogon Mask
Located in Montreal, QC
African Dongon Tribal mask. Mali.
Category
1970s Malian Vintage Masks
Materials
Wood
19th Century Extra Large Papier Mâché Hat
Located in Brecht, BE
For lovers of quirky objects and eccentricities ... an extra large papier mâché hat ... lovely patina ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Masks
Materials
Paper
Former Mannequin Head Representing The French Actor Fernandel, circa 1960
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Former Mannequin Head Representing The French Actor Fernandel, French Manufacturing circa 1950/1960.
Category
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Masks
Materials
Plaster
africa 5
Located in Berlin, DE
20th Century Antique Carved Wooden Face Mask, African Folk Art. Hangable.Decorative
Solid wood, hand-carved, Africa probably century
The face mask ...
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 1...
Category
1960s French Vintage Masks
Materials
Ceramic
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 1...
Category
1960s French Vintage Masks
Materials
Ceramic
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
Hand-Carved Rustic Wooden Mask with Soft Expression
Located in Antwerp, BE
Rustic; folk art; mask; Axel Vervoordt
This Rustic looking mask has a soft and elegant expression, closed eyes, and a finely carved mustache.
The encrusted patina inside and out ...
Category
Early 20th Century European Mid-Century Modern 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
Wall Sculpture Wooden Frame Adorned Mosaic Leather Liquid Metal Artglass Backlit
By sicis
Located in London, GB
Wall sculpture with circular wooden frame, adorned with elements in lacquered wood, leather, glass mosaic, art glass and liquid metal.
Backlighting system with sensor.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Masks
Materials
Metal
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
20th Century North West Coast Tribal Mask Stan Hunt Signed
By Stan Hunt
Located in Point Richmond, CA
20th Century North West Coast Mask Stan Hunt Signed
A striking, graphic mask in the immediately identifiable North West Coast style. A Classic image ...
Category
1970s Canadian Other Vintage Masks
Materials
Cedar, Paint
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.