The love of masks is one of the striking similarities across global cultures. In this gallery of images, we showcase 25 masks from world history. Very often made with precious materials such as gold, jade and turquoise, these finely-crafted objects were designed for ritual or burial use and give us the opportunity to see not only the skills of ancient artists but also a glimpse into the beliefs, customs and even the real faces of people who lived long ago.
Ancient History Encyclopedia has a new name!
We are now World History Encyclopedia to better reflect the breadth of our non-profit organization's mission. Learn More