Two Wood Yam Masks, Abelam, PNG

Chris Boylan Oceanic Art

Two Wooden Yam Masks, Abelam people, Prince Alexander Mountains, PNG.

a)      63 x 21 x 12cm     $ 1,600      

b)      28 x 12 x 7cm       $ 1,200

Wooden yam masks such as these two examples are in Yam Lining Ceremonies among the eastern Abelam, but still remain far less common than the woven cane yam masks.They are tied onto the yams, forming the yam’s “face” through small holes or using holes in the ears.

The faces are invariably painted using the four distinstive colours used in most of their larger sculptural objects – red, yellow, black and white.

A)       Large mask with classic form and large carved headdress above the yellow face.  The paintwork is fine, very detailed and in  almost pristine condition. Mid-20thC

B)       A smaller sized mask, classic in form,and no doubt to decorate a large yam, but one of lesser importance. Mid-20thC.

$1,600.00

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