West Africa, Mali, Dogon or Bamana, early to mid 20th century CE. A hand-carved lock intended for a granary door, made of wood featuring three anthropomorphic figures. Three simple heads project from the top portion on the main panel, and two legs are carved below and serve as the base. These abstract humans likely were intended to represent protective ancestral figures, and placing the image of an ancestor on the door lock offered additional protection by making the door hallowed and sacrosanct. A wooden bar passes through the central groove on the verso, and three articulating metal nails secure the bar in place. Bolt locks such as this piece are known as "ta koguru" and are found in Bamana and Dogon societies in many different styles. They are typically used to secure wooden doors of granaries and are sometimes given as traditional bridal gifts. Size main panel: 4.5" W x 13.25" H (11.4 cm x 33.7 cm); bar: 12" L x 3" W (30.5 cm x 7.6 cm)

Provenance: private Houston, Texas, USA collection, purchased from Hemingway Gallery, New York, New York, USA in 2006

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#162797

Pressure fissure to base and verso. Chips and abrasions to surface and high pointed areas. Nice, smooth patina.