Abelam Baba Tagwa 'Yam' Mask from Papua New Guinea - 29" H X 19" D

This piece is a Baba Tagwa Mask (Yam Mask) from the Abelam Peoples. It is a hand-woven cane fiber piece created and danced for the Abelam Yam festival ceremonies. It embodies mystical forest spirits and is a highly abstract form with oblong concentric circular eyes, long central ridge nose and complex fiber coiffure. 

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 genuine antique woven mask was ritually used, giving it both collectible and decorative value.

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 Tropical or Coastal Modern Design. Collected on location in the 1960s and displayed on a solid museum-quality metal stand recently powder coated a high gloss black; this piece would add interest as a standalone sculptural object in a public or private Oceanic collection.  

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: 23 in. H X 13 in. W X 19 in. D

Base: 10 in. W X 8 in. W X 1 in. H

Total: 29 in. H

Reference: 

The Met

Art Gallery of New South Wales

SAM, Seattle Art Museum

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