Oceania, Papua New Guinea, East Sepik, Abelam, ca. 20th century CE. A fascinating mask, formed from woven vegetal fiber and hand-painted with brilliant hues of red, yellow, white, and black to emphasize its bold features. The stylized vizard features a huge pair of openwork ovoid eyes that flank a prominent, crested nose, all crowned by 2 petite, conical ears and a bulb-like protrusion. Zigzags of twisted vegetal fiber surround the eyes, further adorning the mask. A strong example created for use in festivals surrounding the cherished yam, the crucial crop of the Abelam people who live in the Maprik district of northeast Papua New Guinea. Size: 12.2" W x 14.9" H (31 cm x 37.8 cm)

The Abelam cultivate massive yams in addition to the ordinary variety. These can be as great as 12 feet long. According to the curatorial department of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, "A man's social status is determined largely by his success in growing long yams. Each man has a permanent exchange partner to whom he ceremonially presents his largest yams following the annual harvest, later receiving those of his rival in return. Men who are consistently able to give their partners longer yams than they receive gain great prestige. Lavishly adorned for the presentation ceremony, the finest long yams are essentially transformed into human images, decorated in the manner of men in full ceremonial regalia."

Provenance: private Tucson, Arizona, USA collection, acquired between 1950 and 1985

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#172158

Expected age wear with some light abrasions, fraying, and a few miniscule tears. Tearing with losses to vegetal fiber strand that loops through headdress. Otherwise, intact and excellent with impressive remaining pigments. Pigments are loose and easily spreadable.