Yams head ·  Papua New Guinea, Abelam/Wosera · ID: 3040682

Description

balsa wood, painted in traditional colours with red, white and black pigment, slightly dam., minor missing parts (nose, left cheek), base;
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 Yams head with the object ID 3040682 was part of the auction 83rd Tribal Art Auction on May 28, 2016. The object with the lot number 72 achieved a sales price of EUR 950 with an asking price of EUR 600.

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Publications

Galerie Flak (ed.), Rites et formes de Papouasie Nouvelle-Guinée, Paris, France, p. 76