Dogon Ladder Minitaure retailer Mali African Art 125471

PRODUCT DETAILS

+ Title - Dogon Ladder Minitaure Mali African Art
+ Type of Object - Artifact
+ Country of Origin - Mali
+ People - Dogon
+ Materials - Wood
+ Height (in) - 14
+ Width (in) - 3
+ Depth (in) - 14
+ Other Dimensions - Height: 5.25-7 InchesWidth: 2.5-4 Inches
+ Overall Condition - Good. Most of our pieces have spent decades on at least two continents, and have been treasured by several owners.   Small splits, scrapes and cracks are a normal part of their patina attesting to their age and extensive use.  We examine each piece carefully when we receive it and report any damage we find in our listings.  Please look carefully at the pictures which may also reveal condition and damage.
+ Damage/Repair - Beads vary in shade; some end chips and minor pitting

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION


Additional Information: A ladder from Dogon people of retailer Mali. My Bamana friend, who grew up close to Dogon areas of Mali, tells me that this would have been presented by the chief to a family who had contributed to the community. Large wooden ladders are utilitarian objects used by the Dogon and other peoples in West Africa. Dogon people use large ladders to climb and access their homes and granaries . Small ladders are used the same way they use ancestor figures: ladders such as this were placed on a family altar side by side with other figures. Most importantly they were placed against the ritual pot where resides the spirit of the family's head.The Dogon believe that this ladder is of great important because their chiefs of the family would have to climb this ladder in order to reach the ancestor world.

See a fine example, similar to this one, in THE MINIMAL IN AFRICAN ART, 1989.


SKU: 125471