Yam mask ·  Papua New Guinea, Abelam, Maprik area · ID: 3043416

Description

balsa wood, lime, red ochre, black pigment, collection no “71.1.126”, slightly dam., insect caused damage, repainted at the right temple, base;
Certain groups in New Guinea notably the Abelam, Massim and Wosera perform ceremonies that revolve around the inseparability of man, yams, and spirit world. Selected yams become the central element of harvest festivals. Carved wooden heads were attached to the yams, transforming them into ancestral spirits or “nggwal”. They are dressed in jewels and finery, including body paint.

The object Yam mask with the object ID 3043416 was last part of the auction 88th Tribal Art Auction at March 10, 2018 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 14.

You can find more Masks and other popular object types on our related topic pages. You may also be interested in our page on Oceanian art.

Comparing literature

Meyer, Anthony J.P., Ozeanische Kunst, Vol. I, Köln 1995, p. 275