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Masks For Sale
Masks
Located in Atlanta, GA
Selection of Pacific Northwest Native style masks, hand carved and painted by sculptor, circa 1990s. They measure: Top row, left to right: 9"H...
Category
1990s Canadian Tribal Masks
Materials
Wood
Woven Basketry Flat Yam Mask with Sculptural Face Papua New Guinea bird face
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Woven basketry yam helmet mask from Papua New Guinea. Flat form with projecting nose and eyes, encrusted surface.
13 inches high, mid 20th century. Will look great on the wall!
Category
Mid-20th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Masks
Materials
Organic Material
Antique Set of Mexican Papier-Mâché Masks 3
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960. We offer this antique set of 10 Mexican papier-mâché masks 100% handmade and paited with anilina (natural pigments).
Category
1960s Mexican Folk Art Vintage Masks
Materials
Paper
Woven Painted Basketry Old Yam Helmet Mask Sculptural Face Papua New Guinea
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Woven painted basketry yam helmet mask from Papua New Guinea. Hollow woven form with traces of red and white pigments. Measures: 14 1/2 inches high, mid 20th century.
Category
Mid-20th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Masks
Materials
Organic Material
Balinese Wood Mask, Mid-20th Century
Located in New York, NY
A vintage theater mask from Bali, Indonesia, circa 1975-1980.
Polychromed hand-carved teak, mounted on a black metal stand.
This type of mask is used at Indonesian Topeng or Mas...
Category
1970s Indonesian Tribal Vintage Masks
Materials
Teak
"Ruby" Helmet for Christian Dior
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Extremely rare
Christian Dior / ruby
Ruby helmet for Christian Dior.
Helmet designed for the decoration of Dior boutiques and which has never been comme...
Category
2010s French Masks
Materials
Steel
Cast Bronze Bust of Artist Mafai
Located in Dallas, TX
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...
Category
20th Century French Victorian Masks
Materials
Bronze
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
'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
Indonesian Wood Mask, Mid-20th Century
Located in New York, NY
A vintage theater mask from Bali, Indonesia, circa 1975-1980.
Polychromed hand-carved teak, mounted on a black metal stand.
This type of mask is used at Indonesian Topeng or Mas...
Category
1970s Indonesian Tribal Vintage Masks
Materials
Teak
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
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
Pacific Northwest Native Raven Sculpture by Emile Thibert
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pacific Northwest native raven sculpture by Emile Thibert, Canadian, circa 1990s. Signed and dedicated to the original owners underneath.
Emile Thiber...
Category
1990s Canadian Native American Masks
Materials
Wood
Running Mask Danh Tribe
Located in Dallas, TX
This wooden Gonveia mask is handmade in the Danh Tribe Tradition.
Mask is on an iron stand.
Category
Mid-20th Century Masks
Materials
Wood
1950s Spanish Bull Head Hand Painted Papier-Mâché Festival Mask
Located in Marbella, ES
Popular 1950s Spanish bull head hand painted papier-mâché mask worn during village festivals.
Category
Mid-20th Century Spanish Masks
Materials
Paper
Yupik Yup'ik Native American Alaska Carved Polychrome Wood Anthropomorphic Mask
Located in Studio City, CA
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...
Category
20th Century American Masks
Materials
Wood, Paint, Natural Fiber
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
Noh Edo Period Lion Mask II
Located in Pasadena, CA
This another superb example of an Edo Period early 18th century or earlier Lion Mask created for the Lion Dances of the Gion Matsuri Festival. The mask is i...
Category
Early 18th Century Japanese Edo 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
Yup'ik Museum Replica Clay Mask of a Lunar Spirit, Early 20th Century
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique Yup'ik Museum replica clay mask of a Lunar Tunghak Spirit, from Southwestern Alaska, early 20th Century, an oval clay mask that appears to have ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Native American Masks
Materials
Clay
Hand-Carved Wood Borneo Dayak Tribe Mask, Indonesia c. 1900
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
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...
Category
Early 20th Century Indonesian Other Masks
Materials
Wood
Yoruba Egungun Headdress Mask
Located in Chicago, IL
Attributed to the Yoruba people of western Nigeria, this wooden headdress was worn during a masquerade known as egungun. A widespread Yoruba ritual, egungun performances honor a comm...
Category
Early 20th Century Nigerian Tribal Masks
Materials
Wood
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
Wooden Mask with Rock Crystal Eyes and Bronze Eyelids/Eyebrows
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Wooden mask with rock crystal eyes and bronze eyelids/eyebrows
Circa: 711-332 BC
Origin: Egypt.
Category
15th Century and Earlier Egyptian Antique Masks
Materials
Stucco
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. This mask features a beige and white polychrome finish with hi...
Category
Early 20th Century Indonesian Other Masks
Materials
Wood
Folk Art Mid-Century Modern Blown Red Art Glass Face Masks, México
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century Modern Folk Art blown red glass face masks made in México.
Category
1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Masks
Materials
Blown Glass
Hand-Carved Wood Javanese ‘Wayang Topeng’ Theatre Mask, Indonesia, 20th Century
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This mid-20th century ‘Wayang topeng’ mask was used in Javanese masked dance performances. This mask features a bright mix of red, yellow, white & blue pol...
Category
Mid-20th Century Indonesian Other Masks
Materials
Wood
1950s Spanish Bearded Man Hand Painted Papier-mâché Festival Mask
Located in Marbella, ES
Popular 1950s Spanish bearded man hand painted papier-mâché mask worn during village festivals.
Category
Mid-20th Century Spanish Masks
Materials
Paper
1950s Spanish Hand Painted Cock Head Papier-Mâché Festival Mask
Located in Marbella, ES
Popular 1950s Spanish hand painted papier-mâché cock head mask worn during village festivals.
Category
Mid-20th Century Spanish Masks
Materials
Paper
African Nafana Bedu Plank Mask Goli Tribal Ceremonial Shield Ghana Coast
Located in Dayton, OH
"Mid century carved African Nefana Bedu plank mask sculpture. This wooden plank mask is large and geometrical in form. It was worn over the face with its extremities towering way above the head. The lower part of the mask is spade-shaped and pierced at the center with three holes to allow the wearer to see out and with a third hole for the mouth. Its crest is surmounted by a large circular horn or disk. This group of masks are known as Bedu by the Nafana people who make and use them for ritual use. Measure: 74"
Such plank masks are among the largest masks in Africa. The form of the Bedu mask...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal Masks
Materials
Hardwood, Paint
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
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
3 Mid-Century Tesselated Stone Aztec Masks
Located in New York, NY
3 Mid-Century modern pre-columbian style Aztec masks made with various tesselated semi-precious stone (lapis,onyx, quartz, mother-of-pearl) (PRICED EACH)
Category
20th Century Central American Mid-Century Modern Masks
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Onyx, Quartz
Large Vintage Latin American Hispanic Devil Diablo Folk Art Mask with Horns
Located in Studio City, CA
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Masks
Materials
Wood, Paint
1950s Spanish Elephant Head Hand Painted Papier-mâché Festival Mask
Located in Marbella, ES
Popular 1950s Spanish elephant head hand painted papier-mâché mask worn during village festivals.
Category
Mid-20th Century Spanish Masks
Materials
Paper
Yupik Yup'ik Native American Alaska Carved Polychrome Wood Anthropomorphic Mask
Located in Studio City, CA
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...
Category
20th Century American Masks
Materials
Natural Fiber, Wood, Paint
Ceramic Comedy and Tragedy Masks
Located in New York, NY
Whimsical handmade pottery Comedy and Tragedy wall mount masks, in deep cobalt blue and creamy off white glaze. Probably studio made circa 1960/1970...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Masks
Materials
Ceramic, Pottery
Carved Tribal Mask from Pacific Northwest Coast by David Frankel
Located in Atlanta, GA
A striking carved and painted mask in the tradition of the Native Indian tribes from Pacific Northwest Coast by David Frankel in 1994. The mask...
Category
1990s American Native American Masks
Materials
Natural Fiber, Wood
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
Hand Carved Wood Painted and Pigmented Primitive Tribal Mask
Located in Studio City, CA
An interesting piece. Quite unique. We are at a loss to what region this might be from. The facial features are very pronounced and the mask has been nicely colored with various pigments. The mask has some age to it and a nice patina.
We are listing as early to mid-20th century but it could very well be older.
From a collection of tribal artifacts...
Category
Early 20th Century Masks
Materials
Wood, Paint
1940s Paper Mache Chinese Dragon Head from a Costume
Located in Tarrytown, NY
1940s handmade papier mâché head of a dragon. From a costume worn for Chinese New Years. Eyes blink, by pulling on chords in head. A bird sits on top...
Category
1940s Vintage Masks
Materials
Paper
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
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
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
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
Pende-Style Antelope Mask
Located in Chicago, IL
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century Congolese Tribal Masks
Materials
Wood
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
"Sharp is the Action" Mask Sculpture by Dave Root, High-Fire Stoneware, Signed
Located in Kansas City, MO
From a series of masks and heads, "Sharp is the Action" is a tabletop sculpture inspired by the masks and heads made throughout Oceania. Landing in the nebulous zone between ceremony...
Category
2010s American Modern Masks
Materials
Stoneware
Antique Folk Art Papier Paper Mâché Mardi Gras Halloween Voodoo Costume Mask
Located in San Diego, CA
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...
Category
Early 20th Century Masks
Materials
Paper
Set of Six Vintage French Three Dimensional Masks
Located in Stamford, CT
Very animated face masks from the 1940s. Three dimensional.
Category
1940s French Vintage Masks
Materials
Composition
Pair of Vintage Fencing Masks
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique set of old fencing masks. Cool display piece. Good vintage condition.
Category
1950s American Vintage Masks
Materials
Fabric
Yupik Yup'ik Native American Alaska Carved Polychrome Wood Anthropomorphic Mask
Located in Studio City, CA
A truly fascinating 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 ...
Category
20th Century American Masks
Materials
Natural Fiber, Wood, Paint
Antique Folk Art Papier Paper Mâché Mardi Gras Halloween Voodoo Costume Mask
Located in San Diego, CA
Very unique antique handmade Folk Art papier/papier mâché Mardi Gras/Halloween voodoo costume mask. The mask is handmade and painted by the artist. Signed "Michel" on the inside. Gre...
Category
Early 20th Century Masks
Materials
Paper
Oro Efe Gelede Mask, Nigeria
Located in Antwerp, BE
The Gelede spectacle of the Yoruba is a public display by colorful masks which combines art and ritual dance to amuse, educate and inspire worship. Gelede celebrates “Mothers” (awon iya wa), a group that includes female ancestors and deities as well as the elderly women of the community, and the power and spiritual capacity these women have in society. However, this power may also be destructive and take the form of witchcraft; therefore, Gelede serves the function of appeasing this power, as well.
Gelede costume and headdress.
Gelede masks...
Category
Mid-20th Century Nigerian Tribal Masks
Materials
Wood
Yupik Yup'ik Native American Alaska Polychrome Wood Anthropomorphic Spirit Mask
Located in Studio City, CA
A fantastic 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 his...
Category
20th Century American Masks
Materials
Natural Fiber, Wood, Paint
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
Yupik Yup'ik Native American Alaska Polychrome Wood Anthropomorphic Spirit Mask
Located in Studio City, CA
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...
Category
20th Century American Masks
Materials
Wood, Paint
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
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.