Painted Masks

Xantolo mask from the Huasteca region of Hidalgo. This rare collector's mask was acquired from the town of Tzapotitla in the municipality of Huazalingo in the mid 1970´s. The Xantolo celebration is a full blown...

A wonderful, beautifully crafted Japanese festival Shishi Lion Dance (Shishi Mai) mask (Gashira). The shishi mask represents a mythical lion that prote...

Antique Papua New Guinea Hand-Carved Tribal Mask, Sepik River Region, Early 20th Century An evocative and finely crafted tribal mask from Papua New Guinea, likely originating from the Sepik River region, renowned for its powerful ceremonial art and expressive visual traditions. This striking mask is constructed from handwoven vegetal fibers, rather than carved wood, reflecting a distinct regional approach within Papua New Guinea ceremonial arts. The bold facial composition features exaggerated eyes, pronounced contours, and graphic detailing—hallmarks of Sepik-influenced ritual objects. The surface displays a rich, naturally aged patina with visible wear and tonal variation consistent with age, ritual handling, and long-term environmental exposure. Hand-applied pigments in multiple colors further enhance its visual impact and ceremonial character. Masks of this type were traditionally used in spiritual and ceremonial contexts, often associated with ancestral reverence, initiation rites, or protective symbolism within village life. Today, such works are highly sought after by collectors of tribal and ethnographic art, as well as interior designers seeking objects with strong cultural narrative and sculptural presence. A compelling sculptural object whether displayed on a wall or as a standalone accent, this mask brings depth, history, and a sense of the primal to any refined interior or curated collection. Condition: Good antique condition with age-appropriate wear, surface patina, and minor irregularities consistent with traditional hand-weaving, hand-painting, and use. No restorations observed. Authentic Early 20th-century Papua New Guinea masks...

Extraordinary and complete collection of 17 artist ceramic masks of traditional Black Forest Carnival costumes by Alfred Schladerer, Germany. Ranging from the first 1954/55 unglazed/...

A striking pair of handcrafted Venetian jester masks, created in Italy circa 2000 and inspired by the rich theatrical traditions of Commedia dell’Arte. These original Venetian folk a...

A beautiful, wonderfully crafted, alluring mask made for Japanese Noh theatre. The mask is handcrafted and hand-carved from natural wood and is signed by the maker. This mask is o...

Very animated face masks from the 1940s. Three dimensional.

Dan Mask from Ivory Coast, Africa,, MID 20TH CENTURY.. gREAT COLOR / PATINA..

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...

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 (...

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...

Masque Guéré originaire de la frontière entre la Côte d'Ivoire et le Liberia. Ces masques étaient utilisés lors de cérémonies pour assurer l'ordre et éloigner les menaces. Les yeux r...

A traditional Indian dance mask from the town of Monimbo, adopted by the rebels during the fight against Somoza. These were worn in order to conceal one's identity. It is a very un...

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

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 ...

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.

Rare Tibetan Mahakala mask from the 18th century, hand-carved in pine with remnants of the original black, red, and earth-toned pigments. The surface displays a beautiful, naturally ...

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...

Dance mask/ sculpture. Known as a Kifwebe mask. Songye. Carved wood. 20th century. With a few flaws and repairs.

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...

A hand-carved partially painted (natural pigments) Lega/kwele/bakwele mask. Artisan made in Congo circa 1960-80 and brought back to Denmark by a Danish traveller. It is executed in u...

A wonderfully designed expertly crafted Japanese Mingei (folk art) wood carved mask of the god Daikokuten who is one of the Seven Lucky Gods, representing wealth, fortune and prosper...

Here are two beautiful Italian ceramic masks, hand painted. I thought I'd present them together because they seem more interesting to me. The sizes of Pierrot are: cm. 18,5 x 14 x p...

A beautiful, wonderfully crafted, alluring mask made for Japanese Noh theater. This mask is handcrafted and hand-carved from natural wood and signed/sealed by the maker on the underside. This mask is the mask of Waka-Onna - or young beautiful woman. It may be that of Ko-omote. Ko-omote translates as "little mask" or sometimes "small face...

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...

A fantastic and somewhat grotesquely strange mask by the Yup'ik (Yupik) aboriginal, indigenous people of South-Western & South Central Alaska. The Yup'ik people, who are related to t...

A beautiful hand carved, crafted and hand painted wood Indonesian jaguar/panther mythical cat ceremonial mask (perhaps a traditional Balinese I Wayan Muka mask). These masks are ge...

A beautiful, wonderfully crafted, alluring mask made for Japanese Noh theatre. The mask is handcrafted and hand-carved from natural wood and is signed by the maker, clearly a mast...

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...

A small warrior spirit mask Northwest Coast Carved and polychrome decorated mask with horse hair, Hand carved by Charlie Mickey (1910-1988), Hesquiah...

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 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...

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...

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...

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, 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...

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...

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...