This old wood mask is actually a yam mask from the Eastern Abelam area around Ulupu Mission Station. Here, most yam masks are wood as opposed to the more common woven variety. This one is very old as evidenced by the numerous layers of paints visible. For the Abelam paint was the magical substance that gave life to otherwise lifeless wood carvings. And thus these numerous encrusted layers of paint attest to a long and useful life for this piece. The mask, as always should, displays the pierced ears and nasal septum of a pre-1940 piece (I would date the piece to the 1920-30s). It is 12 ½" in height. sold