Masks
19th Century Indonesian Other Antique Masks
Wood
Early 2000s American Native American Masks
Antler, Fur, Leather, Beads, Feathers
Mid-20th Century Nigerian Masks
Wood, Paint
19th Century Thai Tribal Antique Masks
Wood
Early 20th Century Nepalese Tribal Masks
Wood
Mid-20th Century Indian Masks
Wood
Mid-20th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Masks
Organic Material
Mid-20th Century Indonesian Other Masks
Wood
Early 20th Century Indonesian Other Masks
Wood
Mid-20th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Masks
Acrylic, Natural Fiber
20th Century Central American Mid-Century Modern Masks
Lapis Lazuli, Onyx, Quartz
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Masks
Pottery
Early 20th Century Indonesian Other Masks
Wood
Early 20th Century Masks
Paper
20th Century American Masks
Natural Fiber, Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Ivorian Tribal Masks
Wood
Early 20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Masks
Wood
1960s Mexican Folk Art Vintage Masks
Paper
Mid-20th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Masks
Organic Material
Early 20th Century Indonesian Other Masks
Wood
19th Century Indonesian Other Antique Masks
Wood
Mid-20th Century Masks
Wood
2010s French Masks
Steel
Early 20th Century Nepalese Tribal Masks
Wood
20th Century American Masks
Wood, Paint, Natural Fiber
Early 20th Century American Native American Masks
Clay
19th Century Chinese Antique Masks
Pine
Mid-20th Century Spanish Masks
Paper
Early 20th Century Indonesian Other Masks
Wood
1990s Canadian Native American Masks
Wood
20th Century French Victorian Masks
Bronze
15th Century and Earlier Egyptian Antique Masks
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Spanish Masks
Paper
15th Century and Earlier Egyptian Antique Masks
Stucco
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Masks
Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Nigerian Tribal Masks
Wood
Mid-20th Century Indonesian Other Masks
Wood
1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Masks
Blown Glass
Mid-20th Century Tribal Masks
Hardwood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Spanish Masks
Paper
Early 20th Century Indonesian Other Masks
Wood
Early 20th Century Masks
Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Spanish Masks
Paper
Early 20th Century Indonesian Other Masks
Wood
20th Century Ivorian Tribal Masks
Wood
Early 20th Century Indonesian Other Masks
Wood
Early 20th Century Indonesian Other Masks
Wood
20th Century American Masks
Natural Fiber, Wood, Paint
20th Century American Masks
Natural Fiber, Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Masks
Organic Material
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Masks
Ceramic
1950s American Vintage Masks
Fabric
2010s American Modern Masks
Stoneware
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Masks
Ceramic, Pottery
20th Century American Masks
Natural Fiber, Wood, Paint
1940s French Vintage Masks
Composition
1620s Congolese Tribal Antique Masks
Animal Skin, Organic Material, Wood
Early 20th Century Guinea-Bissauan Tribal Masks
Hide, 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.