Abelam Wooden Yam Mask-New Guinea Art-Oceanic Art
While we all love good old classic examples of a particular object type; I really want to find something unexpected, that surprises and resets what we know about that style. Thus, I was very happy to see this Abelam wooden yam mask in my inbox a few weeks ago. It is both classic and wonderfully incorporates the radiating concentric eye motif that is often seen on the facades of their tall ceremonial houses. This yam mask has good age, a pierced septum and a nicely patinated reverse with a few works written in black. The piece dates to the 1930s, stands 13 7/8” (35.3 cm) in height.