20th Century Masks

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.

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...

Baule-Goli mask carved and painted mid-century 27 x 2 x 45

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

An interesting ceramic mask by F. Labelle, with a metal base. Signed "Labelle". Unique piece. Perfect original conditions, circa 1980-1990.

A Primitive Ceramic Mask by Les Potiers D'Accolay France 1970's Wall Ceramic Mask or or can be displayed on a pedestal. Nice colors. Signed " Accolay " in the back. In good condi...

Stamped and cut polished metal tribal mask. Foliate headdress, pierced and plated lower lip with pierced ears joining together in a necklace. Three dimensional with lacquered black b...

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...

Equisite pair of cast brass Carnivale masks mounted on black marble plinth bases. Very nicely patinated.

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...

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...

These Kumba Karna Masks are tribal decorative objects realized in the Indonesian island of Bali, during the second half of the 20th century. Dimensions: cm 19 x 20. Traditional...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Original Bali Masks Hand Painted Carved Pande Made Taban, made from a leadership position within the village from the official royal palace in Ubud, Bali, I...

Il Sole enameled copper original idea by Gio Ponti produced in 1956 by Paolo de Poli, Padova. With signature, date, and original label on the back. Lictera...

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 ...

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...

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...

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...

Pair of Murano glass carnivale masks. Handblown and molded gold flecked black cased glass with infused colorful circular details.

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...

This large antique tribal mask or sculpture is unsigned and undocumented, but presumed to have originated from Southeast Asia and done in a folk ar...

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...

Popular 1950s Spanish bull head hand painted papier-mâché mask worn during village festivals.   

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...

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...

Five Venetian Carnival Masks Containing painted and paper-mounted examples and two large painted composition masks, one painted in lavender and gold, the other red and silver with e...

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 ...

Rustic; folk art; mask; Axel Vervoordt This Rustic looking mask has a soft and elegant expression, closed eyes, and a finely carved mustache. The encrusted patina inside and out ...

Ceramic mask, Vallauris, France, 1960s Custom made pedestal.

Popular 1950s Spanish elephant head hand painted papier-mâché mask worn during village festivals.   

Ceramic Mask, anonymous, France, 1960s Custom made pedestal.

Ceramic Mask attributed to Jean Austruy, France, 1960s Custom made pedestal.

This wooden Gonveia mask is handmade in the Danh Tribe Tradition. Mask is on an iron stand.