{"product_id":"abelam-yam-mask-baba-papua-new-guinea-ron-perry-provenance","title":"Abelam Yam Mask (Baba) | Papua New Guinea | Ron Perry Provenance","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e3363-021\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOffered for sale is an impressive 19.5-inch woven basketry yam mask from the East Sepik Province of Papua New Guinea, acquired directly from the Ron Perry Arizona Room collection. Known traditionally as a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ebaba\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e or \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ebapamini\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e mask, these sacred woven sculptures were created by the Abelam people exclusively to decorate and \"dress\" giant, long yams rather than being worn by humans. During competitive post-harvest exchange ceremonies, these adorned tubers represent ancestral spirits, cementing the social status and prestige of the clan's master growers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis powerful example is meticulously hand-woven from wild vine and rattan fibers, featuring a bold, dramatic crest and stylized, piercing eyes. The surface is beautifully enhanced with traditional coatings of natural earth pigments. The mask was field-collected by Ron Perry, a globally renowned expert and one of the most respected Pacific tribal art authorities of the 20th century. Beginning his expeditions in 1964, Perry spent over 40 years traveling by canoe up remote waterways and trekking unmapped terrains to collect authentic pieces directly from traditional clans. His credibility in the field is unmatched: following Papua New Guinea's independence in 1975, the PNG National Cultural Council appointed him to manage Village Arts, their government-run indigenous artifact center.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is an outstanding display piece with exceptional presence, striking geometric forms, and authentic character, making it an exceptional addition to any collection of Oceanic, ethnographic, or tribal art.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eItem Details:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eObject:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Basketry Yam Mask (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBaba\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \/ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBapamini\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCulture:\u003c\/strong\u003e Abelam People\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Maprik Region, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Mid to Late 20th Century\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 19.5\" H × 15\" W × 4.53\" D (49.5 × 38.1 × 11.5 cm)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterials:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Woven rattan \/ wild plant fiber and natural earth mineral pigments (ochre, lime, charcoal)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Acquired directly from the Ron Perry Arizona Room collection\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition Note:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e This piece exhibits authentic, stable aging, beautiful native patination, and minor fiber wear consistent with age and\/or traditional ceremonial use. Please review all photographs carefully, as they are an important part of the description.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cb id=\"docs-internal-guid-42a8a325-7fff-411a-9e2a-07fe68a2989c\"\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis is available for local pick-up. Shipping can be available for this item. Please contact us for a custom quote or to make arrangements. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Adventure Room","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44815495430237,"sku":"3363-021","price":595.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0673\/1222\/2301\/files\/3363_021a.jpg?v=1785334390","url":"https:\/\/theadventureroom.com\/products\/abelam-yam-mask-baba-papua-new-guinea-ron-perry-provenance","provider":"Adventure Room","version":"1.0","type":"link"}