Papua New Guinea Mask Red Balsa Wood Abelam Harvest Yam Mask

This is a Beautiful and Richly Painted and Carved Wood Balsa and Woven Yam Fiber Harvest Yam Mask from the 1980's made by the Abelam people of Papua New Guinea. Abelam art follows traditional ideals, each man's pieces may be unique and are his creation and interpretation of Ablelam spiritual power. All initiated men are expected to carve with the more experienced men supervising the work, or a man may pay a better carver to carve for him. The best carvers are recognized as being more spiritually powerful. Carvings are seen as temporary and are often discarded after use, as the carvers know they can always create more. Some carvings are considered too powerful to keep after the ceremony is over and are carried away a safe distance from the village and left in the jungle. Common colors are reds, yellows and whites from clay ocher's and black from charcoal and soot. Several intense reds come from plants, as does a blue. Colors have magical power and, white is used to make the long yams grow. This Harvest Yam mask is rich in color and design and would be a great addition to your collection or home.

Late 20th-Century

COMES ON A STAND

This mask shows age, discoloration, but in good condition. Museum Quality from the 1980's. This Mask is from the Burt Fink Collection.

21" tall on Stand

Mask

17" tall

9" wide Yam Top Headdress

Mask Face

5" wide

4.5" deep

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