Masks
20th Century African Masks
Wood
1920s African Primitive Vintage Masks
Bronze
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Masks
Plaster
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Bohemian Masks
Gold, Metallic Thread
1960s French Vintage Masks
Ceramic
1960s French Art Deco Vintage Masks
Brass
1950s African Vintage Masks
Wood
Mid-20th Century Nigerian Tribal Masks
Wood
20th Century Masks
Wood
20th Century African Masks
Wood
20th Century Indonesian Folk Art Masks
Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Masks
Ceramic, Pottery, Terracotta
20th Century African Bohemian Masks
Wood
1970s French Vintage Masks
Ceramic
1970s French Vintage Masks
Ceramic
1970s Vintage Masks
Wood
Early 20th Century Balinese Tribal Masks
Wood
Late 20th Century Italian Other Masks
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Indonesian Primitive Masks
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Baroque Masks
Ceramic
20th Century Masks
Glass, Wood
Late 20th Century Japanese Folk Art Masks
Ceramic, Paint
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Masks
Steel
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Masks
Terracotta
20th Century Italian Masks
Composition
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Masks
Ceramic
20th Century American Masks
Wood, Paint
2010s Italian Post-Modern Masks
Art Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine
20th Century Masks
Wood
20th Century American Masks
Wood, Paint
20th Century American Masks
Natural Fiber, Wood, Paint
20th Century French Beaux Arts Masks
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Canadian Native American Masks
Wood
Early 2000s American Native American Masks
Antler, Fur, Leather, Beads, Feathers
20th Century American Masks
Lacquer
20th Century American Masks
Natural Fiber, Wood, Paint
Early 2000s French Mid-Century Modern Masks
Ceramic
20th Century American Masks
Wood, Paint
20th Century Italian Masks
Marble, Brass
Mid-20th Century Indonesian Other Masks
Wood
Mid-20th Century Indonesian Masks
Wood
Early 20th Century Indonesian Other Masks
Wood
1970s Canadian Other Vintage Masks
Cedar, Paint
1960s Italian Folk Art Vintage Masks
Ceramic, Pottery
Early 20th Century Indonesian Other Masks
Wood
Early 20th Century Masks
Paper
19th Century Indonesian Other Antique Masks
Wood
Early 20th Century Indonesian Other Masks
Wood
20th Century Indonesian Masks
Wood
Early 20th Century Indonesian Other Masks
Wood
Mid-20th Century Indonesian Other Masks
Wood
Early 20th Century Indonesian Other Masks
Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Masks
Copper
1980s Italian Vintage Masks
Murano Glass
2010s Italian Futurist Masks
Wood
19th Century Antique Masks
Wood
1970s Nicaraguan Folk Art Vintage Masks
Metal, Wire
1890s American Folk Art Antique Masks
Wood
2010s American Modern Masks
Stoneware
Late 19th Century French Antique Masks
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.





