20th Century Masks

A lovely set of four Austrian terracotta miniature wall masks, designed by Adolf Prischl, executed by Friedrich Goldscheider Vienna in the 1950s. All four masks are in excellent cond...

Former Mannequin Head Representing The French Actor Fernandel, French Manufacturing circa 1950/1960.

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...

A fantastic, somewhat sinister appearing mask by the Yup'ik (Yupik) aboriginal, indigenous people of South-Western & South Central Alaska. The Yup'ik people, who are related to the I...

A beautiful, somewhat benevolent mask by the Yup'ik (Yupik) aboriginal, indigenous people of South-Western & South Central Alaska. The Yup'ik people, who are related to the Inuit peo...

A fantastic and somewhat playful mask by the Yup'ik (Yupik) aboriginal, indigenous people of South-Western & South Central Alaska. The Yup'ik people, who are related to the Inuit peoples, have a long history of ceremonial mask making. Yup'ik masks were originally and specifically designed by Shamans and made to be worn by these spiritual leaders in Winter tribal dances and sacred ceremonies. Traditionally, the masks were destroyed or discarded after use in these ceremonies. Very few of these masks survived. After Christian contact in the late 19th century, masked dancing was suppressed and the tradition all but died out. As more outsiders settled in Alaska at the turn of the century, masks were made by the Yup'ik people to sell or trade for necessary goods. It is likely that this mask was created some years later for this purpose. In the 20th century, Yup'ik mask had a profound influence on many renowned surrealist artists including, Max Ernst, Joan Miro, Leonora Carrington, Victor Brauner, and most notably Andre Breton who was an avid collector of Yup'ik masks. This fantastic anthropomorphic mask is carved of lighter wood, hand painted and decorated with pigment, and held together with natural fiber. The mask seems to represent some sort of smiling, benevolent spirit or character with its four eyes, bird beak, and cat-like ears. The mask is from a French collection. We were told that this mask, as well as others in the collection we have listed, was acquired originally in the 1950s-1960s in Alaska and the Yukon territory in Canada but as we have no way to verify or authenticate this. Please note we are listing the masks as decorative and not as actual tribal artifacts...

Wooden Mask, Karnataka, India, Mid-20th Century Carved wood with fur and pigment decoration.  

Pair of masks, faces of women and men, sculpted in terracotta by Roberto Rigon in the 1960s. The masks represent a Man and a Woman, both sculpted by t...

An interesting ceramic mask by F. Labelle, with a metal base. Signed "Labelle". Unique piece. Perfect original conditions, circa 1980-1990.

Gilbert Portanier, mask France, Vallauris, 1979. Signed Unique piece Enameled ceramic mask with a polychrome decoration. Nose, arches and beard in relief and two slits to crea...

Pair of Murano glass carnivale masks. Handblown and molded gold flecked black cased glass with infused colorful circular details.

Original Bali Masks Hand Painted Carved Pande Made Taban, made from a leadership position within the village from the official royal palace in Ubud, Bali, I...

Set of 4 hand-painted and hand-crafted Majolica Masks, one of them is way bigger than others, Italy circa 1960. The pieces showcases Italian craftsmanship and feature beautiful col...

This early 20th century ‘Wayang topeng’ mask was used in Javanese masked dance performances. This mask features a beige and white polychrome finish with hi...

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...

A beautiful, somewhat benevolent mask by the Yup'ik (Yupik) aboriginal, indigenous people of South-Western & South Central Alaska. The Yup'ik people, who are related to the Inuit peoples, have a long history of ceremonial mask making. Yup'ik masks were originally and specifically designed by Shamans and made to be worn by these spiritual leaders in Winter tribal dances and sacred ceremonies. Traditionally, the masks were destroyed or discarded after use in these ceremonies. Very few of these masks survived. After Christian contact in the late 19th century, masked dancing was suppressed and the tradition all but died out. As more outsiders settled in Alaska at the turn of the century, masks were made by the Yup'ik people to sell or trade for necessary goods. It is likely that this mask was created some years later for this purpose. In the 20th century, Yup'ik mask had a profound influence on many renowned surrealist artists including, Max Ernst, Joan Miro, Leonora Carrington, Victor Brauner, and most notably Andre Breton who was an avid collector of Yup'ik masks. This fantastic anthropomorphic mask is carved of lighter wood and hand painted/ decorated with pigment. The mask seems to represent some sort of smiling, benevolent spirit or character. The mask is from a French collection. We were told that this mask, as well as others in the collection we have listed, was acquired originally in the 1950s-1960s in Alaska and the Yukon territory in Canada but as we have no way to verify or authenticate this. Please note we are listing the masks as decorative and not as actual tribal artifacts...

Baule-Goli mask carved and painted mid-century 27 x 2 x 45

Stamped and cut polished metal tribal mask. Foliate headdress, pierced and plated lower lip with pierced ears joining together in a necklace. Three dimensional with lacquered black b...

Very unique antique handmade folk art papier/paper mâché Mardi Gras/Halloween voodoo costume mask. The mask is handmade and painted by the artist. Signed "Michel" on the inside. Grea...

Popular 1950s Spanish elephant head hand painted papier-mâché mask worn during village festivals.   

20th Century Mask God of the Undersea World by Stanley Clifford Hunt Signed A striking, graphic mask in the immediately identifiable North West Coast tradition.. The mask is expert...

This hand-carved wooden mask is from Central Kalimantan on the island of Borneo. It features bulging eyes and a mouth emphasised by a full set of teeth and small nose. These masks we...

This set of 3 mid-20th century mask were sed on the island of Madura for ceremonial purposes. The island of Madura is situated off the north-eastern coast of Java. This mask features...

This large hand-carved African tribal mask showcases intricate craftsmanship with its beaten copper and tin plate detailing, enhanced by vibrant shell mosaic accents. Such masks ofte...

This is a beautifully crafted bronze bust of French Artist Mafai 1900 victorian period. This piece is a stunning replica of the original in the statue garden in France. Cast in bron...

These Kumba Karna Masks are tribal decorative objects realized in the Indonesian island of Bali, during the second half of the 20th century. Dimensions: cm 19 x 20. Traditional...

This large antique tribal mask or sculpture is unsigned and undocumented, but presumed to have originated from Southeast Asia and done in a folk ar...

Ceramic Mask attributed to Jean Austruy, France, 1960s Custom made pedestal.

Eight vintage masks of a rogues' gallery framed in black plastic frames. Priced as a set.

Five Venetian Carnival Masks Containing painted and paper-mounted examples and two large painted composition masks, one painted in lavender and gold, the other red and silver with e...

Ceramic Mask, anonymous, France, 1960s Custom made pedestal.

Rare teak mask, mid-century.

Ceramic mask, Vallauris, France, 1960s Custom made pedestal.

This large hand-carved African tribal mask showcases intricate craftsmanship with its beaten copper and tin plate detailing, enhanced by vibrant shell mosaic accents. Such masks ofte...

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 ...

Il Sole enameled copper original idea by Gio Ponti produced in 1956 by Paolo de Poli, Padova. With signature, date, and original label on the back. Lictera...

This wooden Gonveia mask is handmade in the Danh Tribe Tradition. Mask is on an iron stand.