THREE OLD ABELAM YAM MASKS, PNG

Chris Boylan Oceanic Art

THREE OLD YAM MASKS, Abelam, Papua New Guinea   

       Yam masks become the face of the yam, and the face of the spirit that directs fertility, in the ceremonial lining of large yams, immediately after harvest. They are woven from cane then painted in colourful pigments. In ceremony they may be further decorated with shells, feathers, and special leaves.

a)    A medium yam mask, with almost spherical face, in bird form, with headdress above. The weaving is old and tight; the paintwork is also obviously old. Overall a wonderful yam mask, beaurifully woven and in good condition

28 x 23 cm       $ 800

b)    A very large yam mask, with a soaring woven headdress and a strong bird-like face. Red and yellow pigments.  62 x 27 x 26 cm  ( 25” x 11” x 11” )   $ 1,400

c)     A very old yam mask, with spired headdress. The edges retain some of the vine for inserting feathers during ceremony. Blue and pink pigments.                                                                           38 x 18 x 11 cm  (15” x 7” x 4.5”)   $ 950

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