Early 20th C Abelam Galut Initiation Mask For Sale

Early 20th-century Abelam woven galut mask from Papua New Guinea, with documented provenance to noted Oceanic art collector and dealer Lynda Cunningham and later to specialist Oceanic art dealer Michael Hamson.This piece has now been personally identified and documented by Michael Hamson, whose original inventory number MHPI-174 remains attached to the mask.According to Hamson’s surviving records and original invoice description, the piece is:“Abelam woven galut mask with chains, worn on the back of a male initiates tall headdress, ex. Lynda Cunningham, early 20th century, 18-1/4” in height.”Unlike the more commonly encountered Abelam yam masks, this galut was associated with male initiation. It was designed to be worn on the back of an initiate’s tall ceremonial headdress. The numerous woven chain-like elements extending from the mask are an important part of its original ceremonial design.The mask is constructed from intricately woven plant fiber or cane with an applied clay/mud surface and surviving traditional pigments in yellow, red/orange, black and white. It features large pierced eyes, a prominent central facial ridge and an elaborate arrangement of woven chain elements.Documented ProvenanceLynda Cunningham Collection
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Robert Noble, Cunningham’s widower
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Michael Hamson — acquired May 15, 2018
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Susan Macrae — purchased from Michael Hamson at the San Francisco Tribal Show, February 11, 2019Michael Hamson inventory number: MHPI-174Hamson’s records also document that he sold the piece at the 2019 San Francisco Tribal Show for $1,000.Lynda Cunningham was a well-known collector and dealer specializing in Oceanic art, making the documented collection history particularly relevant to this piece.The mask measures approximately 18-1/4 inches in height, as recorded on Michael Hamson’s original invoice.A custom wood and metal display stand is included and presents the piece beautifully.ConditionThe mask retains a strongly aged surface appropriate to its early-20th-century attribution. There is considerable cracking, flaking and loss to the applied clay/mud and pigment surface, along with fraying, drying and scattered losses to the woven fiber. The long woven chain elements show additional age-related wear.These are fragile organic materials more than a century old, and the piece has not been aggressively cleaned or restored.Please examine all photographs carefully as they form an important part of the condition description.The original MHPI-174 inventory tag remains attached and should be preserved with the object.A copy of the correspondence from Michael Hamson confirming the identification, age and provenance can be provided to the purchaser with the piece.Display stand is included.⸻Seller NoteI am not an expert in Oceanic ethnographic art. Identification, age and provenance information stated above are based on the surviving records and direct written confirmation of specialist Oceanic art dealer Michael Hamson, who previously owned and sold this object. No representation is made beyond the documented information provided.