Yam Mask Item Number: 3123/86 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Yam basket mask. Mask is constructed of basketry in thin strips of rattan wrapped around a frame of thicker rattan pieces. Headdress is spade-shaped, with alternating areas of open and closed basketry in black, dark yellow, rust red and white paint applied heavily onto the surface. Under a densely painted and coloured forehead are two round eyes covered in white. Open spaces fall away below, with a long slightly raised nose between, two nostrils at bottom, and to the sides an outline of a face with chin. This is covered in a rust coloured paint. The back of the piece is undecorated.