Abelam Yam Mask with Bulging Eyes-New Guinea Art-Oceanic Art
The eye motif is normally very prominent in Abelam art—none more so than the present yam mask. Constructed using the coil technique the form has been distilled down to a large pair of bulging eyes bisected by a raised ridge nose and a thin horizontal slice for a mouth. It dates to the early/mid 20th century, is 8” (20.2 cm) across and 5 ½” (14 cm) in height.