This is a very fine Abelam yam mask made with the coiled construction technique. There are four basic guidelines when assessing the quality of an Abelam yam mask. The first is the size-in general the older yam masks were smaller. The second is the tightness of the cane construction-the tighter the older and usually the better. The third quality is layers of pigments-the more layers of pigments the better as these yam masks were repainted every ceremony. The fourth quality is of course aesthetics-how well the mask is composed. I submit this yam mask as an excellent example that ranks high in each of these criteria. It is also unusual in that it is made in two parts-a small yam mask lashed to a woven headdress. Overall the piece is 16 1/8" in height, dates to the 1940s. sold