Abelam, PNG.

These elegant wooden yam masks with a handle projection at the base are found east of the Abelam, among a group known as the Bukie, who were referred to by Margaret Mead as the Arapesh. Their wood masks are among the most beautiful of this region, where the growing of large yams equates with spiritual benevolence, and they are used to decorate these yams at the annual yam lining ceremony.

a) An elongated mask with the central face framed top and bottom with two flanges with red triangles. The face itself is simply carved with eyes, nose and mouth, painted yellow with fine white dots.

b) A very similar form to a) with slightly more elaborate paintwork in red and white.

a) 28 x 8 x 6 cm
b) 35 x 8 x 7 cm