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Masks For Sale
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
Collection of Japanese and Chinese Masks
Located in Atlanta, GA
Collection of eight Japanese and Chinese masks, circa 1950s or earlier. These were recently purchased from the Manhattan estate of a Japanese man who travel...
Category
1950s Japanese Chinoiserie Vintage Masks
Materials
Metal
$4,500 / set
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
$942 Sale Price
35% Off
Antique Set of Mexican Papier-Mâché Masks 3
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960. We offer this antique set of 6 Mexican papier-mâché masks 100% handmade and paited with anilina (natural pigments).
Category
1960s Mexican Folk Art Vintage Masks
Materials
Paper
Ancient Roman Theatre Mask Myra No:II Museum Replica Cultured Marble
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
It was found in the ancient city of Myra in Antalya, Turkey. It was used as a mask in theaters during the Roman period.
The city of Myra, one of the six most important cities that w...
Category
2010s Turkish Classical Greek Masks
Materials
Statuary Marble
Ceramic Mask by Gilbert Portanier, 1979
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
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...
Category
20th Century French Beaux Arts Masks
Materials
Ceramic
20th Century Antique Carved Wood Mask, African Art
Located in Berlin, DE
20th Century Antique Carved Wood Mask, African Art
Solid wood, hand-carved, Africa probably century
Very decorative. Comes from a Berlin private collection.
Category
20th Century African Masks
Materials
Wood
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, featuring two very small eye holes. For the Timorese people masks portray both male and female ancestors, worn by warri...
Category
Early 20th Century Indonesian Other Masks
Materials
Wood
Vintage Lega - Kwele Mask from Congo Africa, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
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...
Category
20th Century Congolese Tribal Masks
Materials
Fruitwood
Clay Mask, 1960s Italy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
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...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Masks
Materials
Clay, Rope
$1,200
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
Japanese Theatre Mitsumekozo Theatre Mask Meiji Period, circa 1900
Located in Prahran, Victoria
Unusual Japanese Folk Art theatre mask depicting the playful character Mitsumekozo, a three eyed goblin often portrayed as a mischevious creature in comical plays, late Meiji period,...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Masks
Materials
Wood
$760 Sale Price
20% Off
Set of 4 Vintage Mexican Wrestling Fighters Figures
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this fantastic set of 4 Mexican wrestling fighters, made in plastic and hand painted, circa 1970. Excellent vintage conditions.
Category
1970s Mexican Folk Art Vintage Masks
Materials
Paint, Plastic
Beaded Royal Headress with Leopard Figure, Bamileke People, Cameroon
Located in Leuven , BE
The Beaded Royal Headdress is made of a palm tree fibre structure, enfolded with burlap cloth embroided with European glass beads that cover the entire object with geometric symbolic...
Category
20th Century Cameroonian Masks
Materials
Organic Material
Tribal mask with feather head-decoration
Located in Munich, DE
Add a touch of culture with this striking tribal mask. Its intricate design and feather decor makes it a captivating decorative piece for any wall.
Category
19th Century Antique Masks
Materials
Wood
Two Antique Indian Papier-Mâché Hand Painted Face Masks Depicting Brides
Located in Yonkers, NY
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...
Category
Early 20th Century Indian Masks
Materials
Other
Antique Set of Mexican Papier-Mâché Masks
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960. We offer this antique set of 6 Mexican papier-mâché masks 100% handmade and paited with anilina (natural pigments).
Category
1960s Mexican Folk Art Vintage Masks
Materials
Paper
Geisha Wig
Nô Theater 2 Mask
Located in Paris, FR
Mask Geisha Wig & Nô Theater 2, with real natural hair Geisha wig
on head model and with Nô Theater natural wood mask.
Base: 28,5x26,3cm.
Category
1950s Japanese Vintage Masks
Materials
Wood
africa 3
Located in Berlin, DE
20th Century Antique Carved Wooden Face Mask, African Folk Art. Hangable.Decorative
Solid wood, hand-carved, Africa probably 20th century
The face ...
Category
20th Century African Masks
Materials
Wood
$893
Handcrafted Ceramic Tribal Mask
Located in Antwerp, BE
Handcrafted Ceramic Tribal Mask – Signed “Atelier Manteln – BAKU 74” – Kuba/Songye Inspired
This unique ceramic mask is a striking and expressive piece of studio art, crafted in 197...
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Masks
Materials
Ceramic
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
Fang-Style African Painted Mask
Located in Chicago, IL
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century Gabonese Tribal Masks
Materials
Wood
Mid 20th Century Hand Carved African Fertility Mask, Akan People
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very decorative fertility mask by the Baule tribe, associated with the Akan people who live both in Ghana and in the Ivory Coast. The sides with three...
Category
Mid-20th Century Ivorian 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
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
African Akuaba Fertility Mask
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a fertility mask called an AKUABA.
It's a ceremonial mask of the Akan tribe of Ghana.
Category
Late 20th Century Ghanaian Tribal Masks
Materials
Metal
$600 Sale Price
20% Off
Mende Women
s Helmet Mask
Located in Chicago, IL
This helmet mask created by the Mende people of Sierra Leone was made for the women of their tribe to wear while dancing. Commissioned by women for their ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Sierra Leonean Tribal Masks
Materials
Wood
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
Ceramic Mask by N Dala, Congo, 1970s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Beautiful ceramic mask by N. Dala. Democratic Republic of the Congo
Perfect original conditions, 1975.
Category
Mid-20th Century Congolese Mid-Century Modern Masks
Materials
Ceramic, Terracotta
Antique Thai Tribal Carved Wooden Mask Depicting a Swine with Pierced Eyes
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Thai carved wooden tribal mask from the 19th century depicting a swine with pierced eyes, nostrils, textured ground and weathered appearance. Created in Thailand during th...
Category
19th Century Thai Tribal Antique Masks
Materials
Wood
An Impressive Primitive Ceramic Mask by Les Potiers D
Accolay France 1970
s
Located in HYÈRES, FR
An Impressive Primitive Ceramic Mask by Les Potiers D'Accolay France 1970's
Rare piece of this size.
Nice colors.
Signed " Accolay " in the back.
In good condition.
Category
1970s French Vintage Masks
Materials
Ceramic
Aluminium Bull Head
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this Bull Head made in solid aluminium with abstract shapes and ready for hang in your wall.
Category
1980s Mexican Post-Modern Vintage Masks
Materials
Aluminum
$1,000
African Futurist Black Tribal Mask by Bomber Bax
Located in Milano, IT
Contemporary African single mask created by the artist Bomber Bax.
The mask dates back to the early 1900s and was subsequently processed and painted in late 2022 by the artist.
The...
Category
Early 1900s Congolese Tribal Antique Masks
Materials
Wood
$2,394 Sale Price
20% Off
Salampasu Mask
Located in Chicago, IL
This ceremonial African mask is linked to the Salampasu people of the Bantu ethnic group located primarily in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Salampasu masks...
Category
Mid-20th Century Congolese Folk Art Masks
Materials
Wood, Bamboo
$980
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
Old wooden mask from southern China/lion mask/ritual item//Festival Mask
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Masks have been created around the world since ancient times, deeply connected to the human spirit. Many performing arts involving masks, where the wearer transforms into another bei...
Category
20th Century Chinese Other Masks
Materials
Wood
African Lwalwa Tribal Mask
Located in Montreal, QC
African Lwalwa tribal mask enhanced with white pigment on the mouth and ears.
Category
1960s Congolese Vintage Masks
Materials
Wood
Willi Huggler Brutalist Style Carved Wood Mask
By Willi Huggler
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Carved grotesque wood mask with pierced eyes, very hooked nose, cigar between very crooked bone teeth. Label on verso reads, “Willi Huggler (Swiss, 1925...
Category
20th Century Swiss Tribal Masks
Materials
Bone, Wood
Angola Chokwe Mask Revisited by Bomber Bax
Located in Milano, IT
Beautiful classic Chokwe mask genre that honours female founding ancestors. Such representations are particularly significant as the Chokwe trace the descent through the lines of their mothers. This is thought to be a dance mask with a net and wood hairstyle, from the Batshokwe people skilled in the art of carving and of very ancient origin belonging to the culture of the divine monarchy.
The Batshokwe sculptors were the most famous in the region, masters in geometric decorations such as the depiction of scarifications and tooth deformations, the surfaces of their works were carefully smoothed and polished.
On the forehead of the mask, the classic chinge-lyengelye scarification is clearly visible, commonly interpreted as a variant of the Portuguese cross...
Category
Early 1900s Angolan Tribal Antique Masks
Materials
Wood
$2,394 Sale Price
20% Off
Kajiwara Chiryu Japanese Menburyu Mask Depicting Furyu Character
Located in Fukuoka, JP
Presenting a captivating Menburyu mask, originating from Saga Prefecture's traditional temple drama theater in Japan. This particular mask represents the character of Furyu, a male e...
Category
20th Century Japanese Showa Masks
Materials
Wood
Dogon Mask
Located in Montreal, QC
African Dongon Tribal mask. Mali.
Category
1970s Malian Vintage Masks
Materials
Wood
$2,450
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
Bidjogo Tribal Initiation Ox Mask, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
After oxen were introduced to Guinea Bissau by Portuguese sailors in the 15th century, its strength, aggression, and nobility quickly became integrated i...
Category
Early 20th Century Guinea-Bissauan Tribal Masks
Materials
Hide, Wood
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
Large Basketry Gable Mask from Papua New Guinea
Located in Highland, IN
A beautiful and large example of Oceanic art, this delightful woven mask would have been used on the gable of a middle Sepik meeting house. The wildly expressive form is accentuated ...
Category
1940s Papua New Guinean Tribal Vintage Masks
Materials
Cane, Rattan, Wood
A Kuosi society elephant mask
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Bamileke, Cameroon, early 20th century
Among the Bamileke people, only members of the Kuosi society (the elephant society) are permitted to perform elephant masquerades, symbolizing...
Category
Early 20th Century Cameroonian Masks
Materials
Cotton, Beads
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
Dan Mask from Ivory Coast, Africa, 1950
Located in Buffalo, NY
Dan Mask from Ivory Coast, Africa,, MID 20TH CENTURY.. gREAT COLOR / PATINA..
Category
1950s Ivorian Tribal Vintage Masks
Materials
Wood
Ibo-Izzi, Nigeria Old ‘Ogbodo Enyi’ Elephant Mask
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
This mask type of the Ibo-Izzi, a subgroup of the Ibo, is actually a dance crest. The elephant mask 'ogbodo enyi' is worn horizontally on top of the head...
Category
Early 20th Century Nigerian Tribal Masks
Materials
Wood
2000 Italian Venetian Handcrafted Pencil Black White Gold Modern Carnival Mask
Located in New York, NY
This Folk Art mask is a real Venetian creation, entirely hand-drawn and handcrafted. Italian Artists have realized this piece in full respect of craftsmanship traditions and followin...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Bohemian Masks
Materials
Gold, Metallic Thread
africa 5
Located in Berlin, DE
20th Century Antique Carved Wooden Face Mask, African Folk Art. Hangable.Decorative
Solid wood, hand-carved, Africa probably century
The face mask ...
Category
20th Century African Masks
Materials
Wood
$1,051
Late 19th/Early 20th Century Carved Hannya Noh Devil Mask Curio
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A rather cheeky looking carved and stained wood devil mask, turn off the century in age.
Possibly reference to the Hannya Noh Mask used within Japanese th...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Masks
Materials
Pine
Refined Dan Deangle Mask with Classic Elongated Features, Liberia/Côte d’Ivoire
Located in Bonita Springs, FL
A beautifully carved Dan Deangle mask exhibiting the refined elegance and expressive restraint characteristic of the Dan carving tradition of Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire. This example ...
Category
Early 20th Century Liberian Tribal Masks
Materials
Wood
Dance mask, Batcham, Cameroon. 20th century.
Located in Stockholm, SE
Dance mask/ sculpture. Known as a Batcham Mask and has its origin in grasslands of Cameroon. Carved wood. 20th century.
With a few flaws and repairs.
Category
20th Century Cameroonian Masks
Materials
Wood
Japanese Noh Mask Depicting Yoroboshi
Blind Monk
Character Signed by Myori
Located in Fukuoka, JP
Japanese signed Noh Mask depicting Yoroboshi (Blind Monk) character
Yoroboshi captures the complex emotions of intense grief and spiritual deliverance. Behind the painful derangemen...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Masks
Materials
Wood
20th Century Antique Carved Wooden Face Mask, African Folk Art. Hangable.Decorat
Located in Berlin, DE
20th Century Antique Carved Wooden Face Mask, African Folk Art. Hangable.Decorative
Solid wood, hand-carved, Africa probably 20th century
The face ...
Category
20th Century African Masks
Materials
Wood
Dan Gagon, Dance Mask, Ivory Coast, Africa
Located in Stockholm, SE
An african Dan Gabon dance mask. Ivory Coast.
Wood, fur and metal.
Good condition. Signs of wear. Visible marks.
Category
20th Century Ivorian Masks
Materials
Fur, 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
$18,750
Italian Modern Venetian Carnival Handmade Silver White Blue Mask Flower Pleat
Located in New York, NY
This Folk Art mask is a real Venetian creation, entirely hand-drawn and handcrafted. Italian Artists have realized this piece in full respect of craftsmanship traditions and followin...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Bohemian Masks
Materials
Metallic Thread, Silver
20th Century Antique Carved Wooden Face Mask, African Folk Art. Hangable.Decorat
Located in Berlin, DE
20th Century Antique Carved Wooden Face Mask, African Folk Art. Hangable.Decorative
Solid wood, hand-carved, Africa probably 20th century
The face ...
Category
20th Century African 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.