Papua New Guinea

Fine Woven Yam Harvest Mask, Wosera, East Sepik, PNG, Papua New Guinea, Oceanic

Fine Woven Yam Harvest Mask, Wosera, East Sepik, PNG, Papua New Guinea, Oceanic
Fine Woven Yam Harvest Mask, Wosera, East Sepik, PNG, Papua New Guinea, Oceanic
Fine Woven Yam Harvest Mask, Wosera, East Sepik, PNG, Papua New Guinea, Oceanic
Fine Woven Yam Harvest Mask, Wosera, East Sepik, PNG, Papua New Guinea, Oceanic
Fine Woven Yam Harvest Mask, Wosera, East Sepik, PNG, Papua New Guinea, Oceanic
Fine Woven Yam Harvest Mask, Wosera, East Sepik, PNG, Papua New Guinea, Oceanic

Fine Woven Yam Harvest Mask, Wosera, East Sepik, PNG, Papua New Guinea, Oceanic
To see more fine oceanic artefacts. Field collected this is a beautiful old large finely woven Yam Mask from the Abelam Tribe of Wosera area of Papua New Guinea. The Abelam cultivate two distinct categories of yamsa small variety used as ordinary food and long yams, massive tubers that can be as much as twelve feet long. A mans social status is determined largely by his success in growing long yams. Men who are consistently able to give their partners longer yams than they receive gain great prestige. Lavishly adorned for the presentation ceremony, the finest long yams are essentially transformed into human images, decorated in the manner of men in full ceremonial regalia. The large decorated yams are believed to be live embodiment's of the ancestors and the masks play a central role in representing the spiritual beings. Power and status are directly related to the size of the yam and gender is prescribed to each based on their straightness and protrusions. Men weave the yam masks with human and animal characteristics and then typically cover them with clay pigment and dyes. A masterful weaver will produce a mask that is tightly woven, clear in form and idea and that has a visual presence that easily conveys the spirit of the ancestor. The application of paint animates the finished mask; paint is the trans-formative ingredient that changes the status of the mask from an inanimate thing to living spirit. This mask is a unique example of Papua New Guinea art and the meaning it has in their lives.

Pre post weight 0.125 kg. This is not always possible given the sizes and unique packing requirements for each unique piece. Can also insure package if required. STANDS ARE NOT INCLUDED WITH ANY ITEM. Pictures make up part of the description.

The item "Fine Woven Yam Harvest Mask, Wosera, East Sepik, PNG, Papua New Guinea, Oceanic" is in sale since Sunday, September 22, 2019. This item is in the category "Antiques\Ethnographic\Pacific Islands & Oceania". The seller is "bubble_artefacts" and is located in Wurtulla, QLD. This item can be shipped worldwide.
  • Material: Woven Fibre
  • Original/Reproduction: Original
  • Provenance: Wosera
  • Originating Region: Papua New Guinea
  • Product Type: Masks

Fine Woven Yam Harvest Mask, Wosera, East Sepik, PNG, Papua New Guinea, Oceanic