Abelam Mask "Baba Mini" with Stand from Papua New Guinea - 7" H X 4" W

The Abelam Peoples subsist primarily on a diet of yams, taro root and sweet potatoes and many aspects of life revolve around the growing of yams and associated ceremonies. This piece is a Yam Mask "Baba Mini" which is constructed with hand-woven fiber for their Yam Festival ceremonies. They cultivate two distinct categories of yams—a small variety used as ordinary food and long yams which can grow up to twelve feet long. In this culture, a man’s social status is determined largely by his success in growing these long yams. They are then adorned for the presentation ceremony and essentially transformed into human images with full ceremonial regalia. The “heads” of these enormous tubers are adorned with specially made yam masks such as this one, which are made exclusively for yams and are never worn by humans.

The mask features natural pigments of ochre, kaolin and clay substances. These muted earth tone colors would complement a wide range of interiors from Mid-Century, California Casual... to Organic-Inspired or Coastal Modern Design. Collected on location in the 1960s and displayed on an acrylic and metal stand.   

Place of Origin: East Sepik Region, Papua New Guinea (PNG)

Date of Manufacture: mid-20th century

Condition: Excellent

Wear: Consistent with age and use. Please refer to pictures.

Dimensions: 

Mask: 6.75 H X 3.5 in. W X 4.25 in. D

Base: 3 in. L X 3 in. W X 3 in. H

Total: 13.25 in. H

Reference: 

The Met

SAM, Seattle Art Museum

de Young Museum San Francisco

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