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Masks For Sale
Vintage Carved Wood Mask, African Folk Art 20th Century
Located in Bochum, NRW
A hand carved wood wall mask, vintage from the 20th Century. African Folk Art.
Handmade and carved from a single piece of exotic wood, in a manner specific to traditional African ar...
Category
1970s African Vintage Masks
Materials
Wood
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
Dan-Guéré Mask, fist half of the XXth century
Located in Paris, FR
The Dan, a sub-tribe of the Dan-Nguere, inhabit eastern Liberia, Guinea Conakry, and Côte d'Ivoire. Their social and spiritual structure is based on the secret society Poro, which me...
Category
Early 20th Century Ivorian Art Deco Masks
Materials
Bronze
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 4 Detailed Wood Carving Alpine Gnome Dwarf Faces Austria Alps Folk Art
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Set of four rustic Folk Art carved wood face mountain man. This is a wonderful example of Austrian carving. This can be used as a Wall decoration in y...
Category
1960s German Folk Art Vintage Masks
Materials
Wood
Vintage Carved Wood Mask, African Folk Art 20th Century
Located in Bochum, NRW
A hand carved wood wall mask, vintage from the 20th Century. African Folk Art.
Handmade and carved from a single piece of exotic wood, in a manner specific to traditional African ar...
Category
1970s African Vintage Masks
Materials
Wood
Vintage African Wood and Shell Mask
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Intriguing good looking mask artistically made of combination of hand crafted beads ,shells , and hand painted wood. To make such a exceptional object of art for display.
Custom-mad...
Category
1970s African Tribal Vintage Masks
Materials
Shell, Wood, Beads
Japanese Signed Hand Carved Wood Noh Theater Mask of Doji, Early Showa Period
Located in Studio City, CA
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 of the immortal character Doji who symbolizes perpetual and eternal youth ("doji" literally translates as "child") in the Noh theater world. He is portrayed as a handsome male...
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Masks
Materials
Wood
Vintage Pair of Venetian Masquerade Masks on Opera Sticks
Located in Miami, FL
A pair of Folk Art jester masks that are original Venetian creations, entirely hand-drawn and handcrafted, circa 2000. Italian Artists have realized these pieces with respect of craftsmanship traditions and following original designs developed in Venice for “Commedia dell'Arte” during the late 17th century.
The coated papier mâché faces...
Category
20th Century Italian Folk Art Masks
Materials
Gold, Brass, Metallic Thread
Japanese Antique Edo Hand Carved Wood Noh Theater Mask Otobide 17th-18th Century
Located in Studio City, CA
A truly beautiful, wonderfully aged, alluring mask made for Japanese Noh theater. The naturally faded beauty and unique character drew us to this mask immediately.
The mask is handcrafted and hand-carved from natural wood, clearly by a master of his trade.
We believe this mask is of the Noh theatre character Otobide.
This mask dates back to the Edo Period (1603-1868). It comes with a wooden storage box (which may have been added at a later date).
A rare, unique, and exquisite mask. Finely carved and executed. Would be a great addition to any Japanese or Asian art/artifacts collection or an eye-catching stand-alone accent piece in about any setting.
Mask dimensions: 7.7" high, 5.7" wide, 2.1" deep...
Category
18th Century Japanese Edo Antique Masks
Materials
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Expressive Early Classic Cubist Dan Mask Early 20th Century Liberia, ex Sothebys
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Expressive early classic cubist Dan mask with refined expressive look, narrow open eyes and mouth and fine line scarification marks around outside of face. Created early 20th century by the Dan People...
Category
Early 20th Century Liberian Tribal Masks
Materials
Wood
Small Warrior Spirit Mask, Northwest Coast by Charlie Mickey, Nootka Nation
By Charlie Mickey
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A small warrior spirit mask
Northwest Coast
Carved and polychrome decorated mask with horse hair,
Hand carved by Charlie Mickey (1910-1988), Hesquiah...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Native American Masks
Materials
Wood
1950s Catrin "Dandy" Mask, Tlaxcala, Mexico
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Catrin (Dandy) mask
Nahua people, Tlaxcala, Mexico
Wood, gesso, paint
1950s-1960s
Measures: 7? (17.8 cm) high, 6.5? (16.5 cm) wide, 5? (12.7 cm) deep
This mask is called the C...
Category
1950s Mexican Folk Art Vintage Masks
Materials
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century Hand-Carved Wood Tribal Mask from Atoni Tribe Timor
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This very flat mask originates from the Atoni people of Timor. For the Timorese people masks portray both male and female ancestors, worn by warriors to scare off enemies or during c...
Category
Early 20th Century Indonesian Other Masks
Materials
Wood
Woman’s Gucci Pony Hair Belt with Brass Buckle
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Woman’s Gucci pony hair belt with brass buckle.
Category
Early 2000s Masks
Materials
Brass
Early 20th Century Hand-Carved Wood Tribal Mask from Atoni Tribe Timor
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This very flat mask originates from the Atoni people of Timor. For the Timorese people masks portray both male and female ancestors, worn by warriors to scare off enemies or during c...
Category
Early 20th Century Indonesian Other Masks
Materials
Wood
A woven wicker donkey head wall mask – 1970s - France
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A beautiful wall mask made from woven esparto grass, depicting a donkey’s head. This rare piece of folk art from the South of France dates back to the 1970s. Entirely handcrafted, it...
Category
1970s French French Provincial Vintage Masks
Materials
Natural Fiber
Antique Carved Wood Mask
Located in Vienna, AT
Carved Wood Mask, African Art
Category
20th Century Beninese Masks
Materials
Hardwood
African Dan Yakuba Guard Mask Small Shells and Bells from the Ivory Coast 1970s
Located in Salzburg, AT
African Dan Yakuba Guard Mask Small Shells and Bells from the Ivory Coast 1970s
Female wooden mask with rich decoration of textile elements, small shells and ceramic beads.
The mouth...
Category
1970s Ivorian Tribal Vintage Masks
Materials
Iron
Carnival of Venice Four Vintage Hanging Tiles
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Set of four hand made and painted tiles professionally framed it wood frame , depicting caricatures from The Carnival of Venice. Which is annual festival held in
Venice, Italy.
The festival is world-famous for its
elaborate masks. The celebration takes place over ten days in which people dress up and take part in organized parades or simple processions on the street. The costumes are seventeenth-century Venetian dresses.
Category
20th Century Italian Masks
Materials
Composition
Collection of Handmade Mexican Folk Art Masks
Located in Atlanta, GA
Collection of Handmade Mexican Folk Art Tin Masks, Mexican, circa 1950s. Each mask is unique and extremely detailed. The largest mask measures 21"...
Category
1950s Mexican Folk Art Vintage Masks
Materials
Copper, Tin
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
Oceanian Bamboo Mask with Long Hair from New Guinea
Located in Pasadena, CA
Ceremonial mask from the Sepik River region of Papua New Guinea, associated with the dance traditions of the Eastern Highlands. Crafted from wood, cowrie shells, clay, pigment, and p...
Category
Mid-20th Century Papua New Guinean Primitive Masks
Materials
Shell, Natural Fiber, Wood
Tribal Style Songye Kifwebe Mask, D. R. Congo
Located in Point Richmond, CA
This graphic Songye Kifwebe mask has fine carved lines curved over the eyes and diagonal lines radiating from the nose and mouth in classic Kifwebe form. ...
Category
Late 20th Century Congolese Tribal Masks
Materials
Wood
Antique Black Forest Folk Art Alpine Devil Dwarf Wooden Carved Mask, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful black forest Folk Art wood carved mask. This is a wonderful example of black forest carving. This can be used as a Wall decoration or as...
Category
1930s Austrian Black Forest Vintage Masks
Materials
Wood
Antique African Carved Toma Landai Tribal Ceremonial Mask Guinea Art Horns
Located in Dayton, OH
Early antique hand carved Toma or Landai mask from Guinea, Africa. “These brooding, often quite large, masks represent a forest spirit, Landai. Masks lik...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal Masks
Materials
Raffia, Hardwood
Songye Kifwebe Mask University Museum Plaster Cast
By Songye Tribe
Located in Sharon, CT
Perfectly accurate plaster cast reproduction of perhaps the most recognizable Songye Kifwebe mask. A Pennsylvania University Museum cast of their famous mask.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Tribal Masks
Materials
Plaster
Set of Three, Vintage, French, Pierrot Boudoir Doll Faces from the 1920s
Located in Vienna, Austria
What a wonderful discovery, rare Pierrot doll faces from the 1920s . All three pieces are in very good condition with minor age related flaws. These fabri...
Category
1920s French Modern Vintage Masks
Materials
Textile
Vintage Mexican Wrestling Mask
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this Vintage Mexican wrestling mask.
Category
1990s Mexican Folk Art Masks
Materials
Fabric
Balinese Hand-carved Mask Depicting Mythological 'Rangda' Demon Queen, c. 1900
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This hand-carved mask originates from the island of Bali and depicts Rangda, the Demon Queen of Balinese Hindu Mythology. This mask would've been used in ceremonies and/or dance perf...
Category
Early 20th Century Balinese Other Masks
Materials
Wood
Oceanian Bamboo Mask with Long Hair from New Guinea
Located in Pasadena, CA
Ceremonial mask from the Sepik River region of Papua New Guinea, associated with the dance traditions of the Eastern Highlands. Crafted from wood, cowrie shells, clay, pigment, and p...
Category
Mid-20th Century Papua New Guinean Primitive Masks
Materials
Shell, Natural Fiber, Wood
Japanese Antique Tengu's Face / Objet / 1868-1912s / Wabi-sabi Mingei
Located in Iwate-gun Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate Prefecture
This is the old Tengu surface that was used in the Kyushu region of Japan.
It is thought to be from around the Meiji period.
Tengu noodles are said to be an amulet, a blessing, and...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Masks
Materials
Wood
Songye Kifwebe Mask – Hand-Carved – DR Congo – Tribal African Art
Located in Ljubljana, SI
Add bold tribal character to your space with this striking Songye Kifwebe mask from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Hand-carved from wood and featuring the signature geometric line...
Category
1950s Congolese Vintage Masks
Materials
Hardwood
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
Vintage Display Mask, African, Ironwood, Carved, Ceremonial, Tribal, Decorative
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage display mask. An African, carved ironwood ceremonial tribal mask, dating to the late 20th century.
Fascinating ridged carvings accentuate this distinctive mask
Di...
Category
Late 20th Century Malawian Tribal Masks
Materials
Wood
African Mask with Spears 1990s
Located in Ljubljana, SI
African Mask with Spears 90s. It is a rare set.
Carved from one piece.
Spears are ultra light - height 152 cm.
Category
1990s Cameroonian Tribal Masks
Materials
Brass
West Africa Senufo Cast Bronze Mask Kpelie, Circa 1950s
Located in Torquay, GB
Ancestral Senufo cast bronze face mask (Kpelie) from Côte d'Ivoire West Africa.
Made using the lost wax technique.
Traditionally, the 'Kpelie' is an ancestral mask worn during funeral rites, initiation ceremonies, weddings and births.
The function of the mask is determined by the crest at the top of it's head and the subtle scarification markings it carries.
The female mask will normally have a plug on it's mouth with the male masks having an open mouth and longer protruding jaw.
It is believed that the mask itself embodies the spirit of the dead, hence the name 'Dead Face'
The delicate attributes of this mask is a fine example of the excellent artistry of the Senufos.
This is a male Senufo Mask...
Category
Mid-20th Century Ivorian Tribal Masks
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Antique Yao Shaman's Mask
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Yao Shaman's Mask
Guizhou Province, China
Early 20th Century
Wood,horse hair, printed paper, nails
Size: 13 1/2" x 8" (34 x 20 cm)
On a custom made metal stand.
Covered inside and o...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Tribal Masks
Materials
Organic Material, Wood, Paper
Japanese Signed Showa Carved Wood Kyogen Noh Theater Raccoon Dog Tanuki Mask
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful, wonderfully crafted, quite engaging mask made for Japanese Kyogen Noh theatre.
This mask is quite rare much like the Kitsune fox mask which this is sometimes confused f...
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Masks
Materials
Wood, Paint
Signed Terracotta “Greek Theater” Mask
Located in Bradenton, FL
A handmade terracotta pottery art ‘Greek Theatre’ style mask. Angular features are decorated with cerulean blue and olive-green highlights. Arched eyebrows give the look of cat ears,...
Category
Late 20th Century Folk Art Masks
Materials
Terracotta
Ancestral Dan Mask 'Deangle' with Cowrie Shells Large
Located in Torquay, GB
Large sized Dan Mask ('Deangle', 'Dan Gle') from Côte d’Ivoire W.Affrica, circa early 20th century.
To the Dan people, the 'Deangle' embodies the spirit of an individual ancestor d...
Category
Mid-20th Century Ivorian Tribal Masks
Materials
Wood, Paint
Original Vintage Set of 20 Mexican Wrestling Masks
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this Original Vintage Set of 20 Mexican Wrestling Masks.
Found from an old factory that manufactured masks for wrestling shows for the Arena Mex...
Category
1970s Mexican Folk Art Vintage Masks
Materials
Fabric
Xantolo Mask From The Huasteca Region Of Hidalgo, Mexico, 1970´s
Located in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
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...
Category
1970s Mexican Tribal Vintage Masks
Materials
Wood, Paint
Antique Chokwe Mask, Central African, Carved Hardwood, Tribal, Victorian, C.1900
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique Chokwe mask. A Central African, carved hardwood tribal face mask, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900.
Fascinating t...
Category
Late 19th Century African Late Victorian Antique Masks
Materials
Hardwood
Antique Set of Mexican Papier-Mâché Masks 2
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960. We offer this antique set of 5 Mexican papier-mâché masks 100% handmade and paited with anilina (natural pigments).
Category
1960s Mexican Folk Art Vintage Masks
Materials
Paper
Old Igbo Helmet Mask, Agbogho Mmuo Masquerade
Located in Torquay, GB
A superb Igbo Nigeria helmet mask 'Agbogho Mmuo" or Maiden Spirit.
Worn as masqurades during funerals, cleansing rituals, harvest festivals, weddings and ...
Category
Early 20th Century Nigerian Tribal Masks
Materials
Wood, Paint
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
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
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
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
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
Black Faun Wall Decorative Ceramic Mask circa 1950 French Midcentury
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Wall ceramic mask, circa 1950
French midcentury ceramic mask with elegant black ceramic glaze color.
Original perfect conditions
Measures: Height 24 cm, large 22 cm, depth 7...
Category
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Masks
Materials
Ceramic
Antique Mexican Demon Mask
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this rare antique Mexican Demon mask in wood, circa 1970. The mask makes a sound when moved.
Category
1970s Mexican Folk Art Vintage Masks
Materials
Wood
Large Vintage Display Mask, African, Ironwood, Hand Carved, Ceremonial, Tribal
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a large vintage display mask. An African, hand carved ironwood ceremonial tribal mask, dating to the late 20th century.
Superb decorative appeal, with a delightfully naive ...
Category
Late 20th Century Malawian Tribal Masks
Materials
Wood
Vintage Carved Wood Mask, African Folk Art 20th Century
Located in Bochum, NRW
A hand carved wood wall mask, vintage from the 20th Century. African Folk Art.
Handmade and carved from a single piece of exotic wood, in a manner specific to traditional African ar...
Category
1970s African Vintage Masks
Materials
Wood
Japanese Asian Wood Shi Shi Shishi Mai Lion Dance Gashira Noh Mask Sculpture
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful, beautifully crafted Japanese festival Shishi Lion Dance (Shishi Mai) mask (Gashira).
The shishi mask represents a mythical lion that prote...
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Masks
Materials
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Japanese Wood "Shikami" Mask, Noh Theater, Late 1970s
Located in New York, NY
A superb Noh theater mask, hand-carved in sturdy Japanese cypress wood. The character it represents is the "Shikami", a wrathful deity.
Shikami (wry face), the grimacing face of “s...
Category
1970s Japanese Showa Vintage Masks
Materials
Plaster, Wood
Chinese Folk Wood Dance Mask with Beard large Ears traces of paint China
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Carved wood dance mask from China with open expression, attached moustache and beard, large ears. Traces of many layers of paint, including red, blue, black and white pigments.
Ex- ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Tribal Masks
Materials
Wood
Antique Mexican Diablo Mask
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this rare and very antique Mexican Diablo mask in wood, circa 1940. Great patina.
Category
1940s Mexican Folk Art Vintage Masks
Materials
Wood
Early 20th century Nepalese fungus mask
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century Nepalese fungus mask
A Nepalese mask made from naturally formed fungus, from the middle hill’s region. Large, blackened piece of tree f...
Category
Early 1900s Nepalese Folk Art Antique Masks
Materials
Wood
A woven wicker donkey head wall mask – 1970s - France
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A beautiful wall mask made from woven esparto grass, depicting a donkey’s head. This rare piece of folk art from the South of France dates back to the 1970s. Entirely handcrafted, it...
Category
1970s French French Provincial Vintage Masks
Materials
Natural Fiber
Set of 3 Hand-Carved Wood Madura Island Ceremonial Masks, Indonesia, c. 1950
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
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...
Category
Mid-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
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
Kuba Mask African Bwoom Tribal Congo in Wood, Vibrates Vegetables, Animal Hair
Located in Milano, IT
The African Kuba Bwoom tribal mask is the oldest known mask, the Kuba bwoom mask. The materials used for the realization of the Mask are: Wood, colors and vibrates plants, caures, beads, animal hair. In dance it expresses exuberance and joy. The style is similar to that of the middle Kasai. This mask is a helmet with animal hair, carved with a very wide forehead and hollow cheeks that are announced by motifs or dashes and beads. The mouth of the mask is very pronounced carved in wood and then applied on the mask. To distinguish the forehead in different areas are used black and white beads to draw attention to other aspects of the face such as the nose and chin. The entire edge of the chin is surrounded by beads of various colors. The person wearing the mask cannot look because there are no holes for the eyes present; the mask must create the feeling of being blind. Some masks similar to the bwoom mask include the funny mask, the ram mask and initiation masks such as Nnup.
The real Kuba masks...
Category
1620s Congolese Tribal Antique Masks
Materials
Animal Skin, Organic Material, Wood
Baule Painted Ram Mask
Located in Chicago, IL
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 ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Ivorian Tribal Masks
Materials
Wood
20th Century Vintage Carved Wood Mask, African Folk Art
Located in Bochum, NRW
A hand carved wood wall mask, vintage from the 20th Century. African Folk Art.
Handmade and carved from a single piece of exotic wood, in a m...
Category
1970s African Vintage Masks
Materials
Wood
Iatmul People "Mei" Mask Sepik River New Guinea
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A large and powerfully carved Ceremonial Mask from New Guinea. In mineral paints with Cowrie Shell Eyes. Collected in Kaminabit, Middle Sepik Region, Papua New Guinea.
The Mei is t...
Category
20th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Masks
Materials
Wood, Paint
African Chokwe Wood Hand Carved Folk Art Initiation Ceremony Ancestral Mask
Located in Studio City, CA
A very engaging mask by the Chowke (Tchokwe) tribe of Southern and Central Africa who today reside primarily in Angola.
This mask is intricately carved and is recognizable by the...
Category
19th Century Angolan Antique Masks
Materials
Wood
Egyptian Mummy Mask, Late Period, ca. 700-30 B.C.
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Carved hardwood mummy mask having a pink-brown painted ground, painted black eyes and brows. Wearing a black headband. Eyes and brows are restored. Scattere...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Egyptian Antique Masks
Materials
Hardwood
Dayak Shaman Mask
Located in London, GB
A rare Iban Dayak shaman ritual mask, early to mid 20th century, Kalimantan/Borneo, Indonesia. Hand carved from local jelutong wood with existing decorative lime and charcoal/pigments.
Category
Early 20th Century Indonesian Primitive Masks
Materials
Wood
Moche Copper Bronze Mask
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
A large coper mask of a dignitary with almond shaped, inset shell eyes with pupils and a wide brim type crown. Attached at the brow line, a row of danglers is suspended, aligning the...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Peruvian Pre-Columbian Antique Masks
Materials
Copper
Japanese Antique Tengu's Face / Objet / 1868-1912s / Wabi-sabi Mingei
Located in Iwate-gun Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate Prefecture
This is the old Tengu surface that was used in the Kyushu region of Japan.
It is thought to be from around the Meiji period.
Tengu noodles are said to be an amulet, a blessing, and...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique 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.