Oceania, Papua New Guinea, East Sepik, Abelam, early 20th century CE. A large woven mask presenting large ovoid eyes with circular irises, perky round ears with fiber 'hairs' emerging from the centers, a nobby appendage backed with an openwork crest at the top, all finely woven from natural fibers and hand painted with orange, cream, and dark brown pigments, created for festivals surrounding the cherished yam, the crucial crop of the Abelam people of northeast Papua New Guinea. Masks like this example have traditionally been used to adorn the heads of huge tubers, rather than humans. Curious? Indeed, the Abelam cultivate massive yams in addition to the ordinary variety. These can be as much 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." (http://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/311328) Size: 11.75" W x 14.75" H (29.8 cm x 37.5 cm)

Provenance: Ex-Adeon Gallery, Nick Poolos Collection, acquire before 1974.

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#115458

Intact, though possibly missing an ear 'hair' with minor surface wear as shown.