An Abelam mens house decoration. Abelam people, Maprik hills, East Sepik province, Papua New Guinea.
 
Of pointed lozenge shape, and depicting a large head with high pointed headdress and stylized body. The head with rounded brow and half-circular eyes, long nose and mouth with painted teeth. The whole with brightly colored painting in yellow, red, black and white, and signs of wear and use.During initiation cycles, the mens house would often be decorated with a multitude of carvings and painted bark panels in bright colors. Figures such as this would be placed between large full-sized human images and attached to walls.
 
Provenance: Acquired by Marc Seidler from Lynda Cunningham, C. 1980. The mask like sculpture measures 36 inches tall x 7 inches wide.
Condition
Good/fair , weathered, loss to edge of one ear