Barakat Gallery
Skip to main content
  • Menu
  • Home
  • Artworks
  • Exhibitions
  • About
  • Contact
Menu
  • Menu

Oceanic

  • All
  • Masterpieces of African Art
  • African Masks
  • Akan, Asante, Fanti
  • Bambara
  • Baule
  • Benin
  • Bura
  • Chokwe
  • Dan
  • Dogon
  • Fang
  • Hemba, Luba, Shankadi
  • Igbo, Urhobo
  • Ife
  • Mangbetu
  • Nok, Katsina, Sokoto
  • Oceanic
  • Senufo, Kongo
  • Songye
  • Yoruba
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: Abelam Wooden Polychrome Mask, 20th Century CE
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: Abelam Wooden Polychrome Mask, 20th Century CE
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: Abelam Wooden Polychrome Mask, 20th Century CE
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: Abelam Wooden Polychrome Mask, 20th Century CE

Abelam Wooden Polychrome Mask, 20th Century CE

Wood and Textile
height 67.9 cm
height 26 3/4 in
PF.4460
Enquire
%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EAbelam%20Wooden%20Polychrome%20Mask%3C/span%3E%2C%20%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E20th%20Century%20CE%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3EWood%20and%20Textile%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3Eheight%2067.9%20cm%3Cbr/%3E%0Aheight%2026%203/4%20in%3C/div%3E

Further images

  • (View a larger image of thumbnail 1 ) Thumbnail of additional image
  • (View a larger image of thumbnail 2 ) Thumbnail of additional image
  • (View a larger image of thumbnail 3 ) Thumbnail of additional image
  • (View a larger image of thumbnail 4 ) Thumbnail of additional image
The concept of covering ones face with a mask has its roots far back into ancient times. Secrecy facilitates transformation, helping someone change from what one is, to what one...
Read more
The concept of covering ones face with a mask has its roots far back into ancient times. Secrecy facilitates transformation, helping someone change from what one is, to what one wants to be. This is the magic aspect of the Greek theatrical masks and in the religious masks of Africa and Oceania. In New Guinea they are used on many occasions- in fertility rites, at the end of a monsoon season and in the initiation of young boys. For major celebrations of the Elema people, guests bring masks as things of joy and amazement.
This colorful mask may have been used for just such a purpose. Painted with skill and exuberance, it radiates good cheer and warmth. The pattern appears to imitate those actually painted on the face during festivals. It's headdress fans out like plumes of a tropical bird, or the orb of the sun. It is possible this mask was intended to be hung in a person's home in order to act as a visible sign of greeting. With such a glorious smile and good humor it will be a welcoming presence anywhere.
Close full details
Share
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Email
Previous
|
Next
1 
of  6

London

48 Albemarle Street,

London, W1S 4JW

info@barakatgallery.eu 

 

       


 

CONTACT | TEAM | PRESS 

 

Seoul
58-4, Samcheong-ro,
Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82 02 730 1949
barakat@barakat.kr
             

 

Los Angeles

941 N La Cienega Blvd
Los Angeles CA 90069
+1 310 859 8408

contact@barakatgallery.com

  


 

 

Facebook, opens in a new tab.
Instagram, opens in a new tab.
Send an email
View on Google Maps
Manage cookies
Copyright © 2025 Barakat Gallery
Site by Artlogic


Manage cookies
Accept

Cookie preferences

Check the boxes for the cookie categories you allow our site to use

Cookie options
Required for the website to function and cannot be disabled.
Improve your experience on the website by storing choices you make about how it should function.
Allow us to collect anonymous usage data in order to improve the experience on our website.
Allow us to identify our visitors so that we can offer personalised, targeted marketing.
Save preferences
Close

Join our mailing list

Sign Up

* denotes required fields