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Masks

Ceremonial and War Masks

As we move ever closer to a true global culture, we seek to understand the art and traditions of foreign lands. This has led to an upswing in the American market for collectible items from around the world.

Masks have long played a role in many cultures including our own, particularly in the towns that celebrate the Mardi Gras season. Here is a brief explanation of the masks used in rituals and celebrations in three cultures - Egypt, Africa, China and South America.

Egyptian Masks

If you are interested in Egyptian culture, you are likely well aware of Egyptian funerary masks. The most famous is arguably that of King Tutankhamen, the boy king, which is now on display at the Egyptian Antiquities Museum in Cairo. These masks were used in the elaborate burial rituals and covered the faces of mummies.

However, funerary masks were not the only masks of great importance to the Ancient Egyptians.

Masks were also donned by priests and priestesses as well as magicians. These masks generally depicted the gods and goddesses, as it was believed that the wearers could harness the magical powers of their chosen deities.

Funerary masks are more readily available today than are ritual masks. It is possible that this is due to the materials of which many ritual masks were made, which may have disintegrated due to time and exposure to the elements.

As funerary masks were protected inside pyramids and tombs, they were not as exposed to damaging elements.

African Masks

African masks are highly prized by collectors as they are believed to be among the finest examples of artwork. These highly detailed masks are deeply connected to the spiritual and cultural fabric of the African people.

African masks are ritual in nature. Virtually all ceremonies from harvest to birth to war preparation to death feature one or more specially chosen dancers who wear the masks that represent that ceremony.

Many of these masks depict human ancestors or animal totems. It is believed that the mask wearer is able to channel the spirit guide who in turn provides advice or words of wisdom through the dancer.

Masking ceremonies still occur in some parts of Africa, although they are much less common than they were at one time.

Many older masks can be found in museums, although it is certainly possible to find these masks on the open collector market as well.

Chinese Masks

For centuries the Chinese have traditionally welcomed in the New Year with extravagantly decorated masks - the dragon being the most common form. These masks made of silk and other materials are actually living sculptures, needing four or five people to operate them.

The Chinese believe that these symbols will encourage a prosperous new year, filled with luck and good fortune.

Another common Chinese mask is the "Opera Mask."

These might be an actual mask made of cloth or a copy applied with makeup.

The designs pf these masks are highly ritualized and date back to about 960 A.D. Later, during the Ming dynasty in the twelfth to fifteenth centuries, paints were improved leading to the masks worn to this day.

Each color of the mask symbolizes some characteristic. for example, gold and silver are reserved for gods, while yellow depicts cruelty and green chivalry.

Other parts of Asia have their own ceremonial and war masks made of materials such as leather and wood.

These colorful masks are still made, so be careful before buying one that is claimed to be antique,

South American Masks

South American masks are used for a variety of ceremonies and rituals. As in Ancient Egypt, evidence of early funerary masks has been found.

These were often carved from stone or clay, although elaborately jewel encrusted skull masks have also been excavated.

Masks were also used in ritual practices similar to those of the African peoples. In addition, South American warriors often masked.

Many of these practices ended during the Christian missionary era, although some of the masking festivals simply changed dates to align with Christian holidays.

Masking is still common during festival periods today. The masks are of high quality and even recently produced masks sometimes command great prices on the open market.

Many cultures throughout the world have used masks in cultural and religious rituals. The above represent some of the most commonly available masks of today, although prices vary dramatically depending on the age and condition of the mask, and the rituals in which it was used.

Ethnic Masks on eBay

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