Help Identify Strange Mask

Could anybody help me identify the strange mask type thing that is shown in the images. When polished it shines two different colours. Also if anyone knows how much it is worth that would help too.

 

Welcome Reuben!

 

Hi Reuben. I have no idea about your mask but if you could include more details someone might recognize it. Values are sometime hard to pin down because there are many variables.

Could you include information about what material it's made from (painted tin, brass, painted wood etc) it's size, any markings and perhaps a photo of the back?

 

Hi thanks for the reply, it is made of some sort of metal and as said when polished it does shine two different colours (two different metals??), I have attached an image of the back. It is fairly heavy but I can weigh it if necessary. I can't see any markings on it anywhere. It was acquired many years ago from an elderly lady.

 

Have you taken a magnet to it?

 

No but I can

 

The headgear puts me in mind of Moorish or North African costume from long, long ago. But I would think this is a tourist item and not that old.

 

It is not magnetic, weighs 2lbs (900g), and is around 10cm x 15cm.

 

Brass door knocker or at least part of one?

 

After measuring it, it is closer to 15 x 20cm

 

When hit it does not make a ringing sound, as I read somewhere that could help identify metals.

 

Hmmmmm... Interesting theory but not sure it would be a help here.
p.s..... Bells have a special metal mixture to perform as they do without cracking.
Think ooops on the Liberty Bell.

 

Is there anything else I could do, or take this anywhere to be identified?

 

You'll have to wait for more folks to check in. That could take awhile but someone here likely knows.

 

IMO is a decorative blackmoor mask, 20th C.

 

I rotated your photo and it looks like he has a mustache and a ruffled collar. Spanish?

 

If it were either of these things, would it be worth anything?

 

Conquistador.

Did you know the Liberty Bell was made in London at the Whitechapel Bell Foundry? It's still there, too.

 

(I'm guessing you mean the foundry is still there, the Liberty Bell is in Philadelphia.)

Try looking at Bamileke masks from Cameroon, there do seem to be some similarities.

 

Yup, the foundry. They actually carried the flame when they moved.