Finely crafted yam mask from Wosera - Papua New Guinea (No reserve price)

01
day
19
hours
12
minutes
44
seconds
Current bid
€ 5
No reserve price
Alexandra Xu
Expert
Estimate  € 150 - € 200
IT
€5
FR
€2
NL
€1

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Fine hand‑worked yam mask from Wosera, Papua New Guinea, measuring 28 cm high, 12 cm wide and 8 cm deep, in good condition and authentic.

AI-assisted summary

Description from the seller

In the field photos, comparable yam masks are depicted as in use.

The light yam root is a staple food in almost all of Oceania. Especially in New Guinea, in the Maprik Hills north of the Sepik River, the Abelam and Wosera tribes have developed a pronounced cult around these yam roots: the aim is to harvest as large roots as possible. The largest yam roots are awarded in competitions. At religious harvest Thanksgiving festivals, the larger yams from the previous harvest are then adorned with interwoven masks that are called ‘Baba mini.’ In addition, the roots are decorated with ornaments and painted. In this ceremonial attire, the roots transform, in the imagination of the Abelam and Wosera, ritually and temporarily into benevolent ancestors or spirits.

No shipping to Austria, Denmark and USA!!!
No shipping to Austria, Denmark and USA.
However, we are happy to ship to Austrians and Danes with an address outside Austria and Denmark!!

We are happy to refund the overpaid shipping costs for multiple purchases.
The shipping costs also include packaging material and handling.

The tracking will be updated on your Catawiki account as soon as your package has been handed over. Please check this regularly to avoid a return of your package.

In the field photos, comparable yam masks are depicted as in use.

The light yam root is a staple food in almost all of Oceania. Especially in New Guinea, in the Maprik Hills north of the Sepik River, the Abelam and Wosera tribes have developed a pronounced cult around these yam roots: the aim is to harvest as large roots as possible. The largest yam roots are awarded in competitions. At religious harvest Thanksgiving festivals, the larger yams from the previous harvest are then adorned with interwoven masks that are called ‘Baba mini.’ In addition, the roots are decorated with ornaments and painted. In this ceremonial attire, the roots transform, in the imagination of the Abelam and Wosera, ritually and temporarily into benevolent ancestors or spirits.

No shipping to Austria, Denmark and USA!!!
No shipping to Austria, Denmark and USA.
However, we are happy to ship to Austrians and Danes with an address outside Austria and Denmark!!

We are happy to refund the overpaid shipping costs for multiple purchases.
The shipping costs also include packaging material and handling.

The tracking will be updated on your Catawiki account as soon as your package has been handed over. Please check this regularly to avoid a return of your package.

Details

Country of Origin
Papua New Guinea
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Good condition
Title of artwork
Finely crafted yam mask from Wosera
Height
28 cm
Width
12 cm
Depth
8 cm
Authenticity
Original/official
GermanyVerified
4628
Objects sold
100%
protop

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