Large wooden shrine doors were commissioned by the wealthy and powerful to gain prestige in the community. The iconography carved in high relief is associated with women, across the top a crocodile battles a large snake, in the center is a design based on women's navel scarification patterns, four sections representing the elements, earth, air, fire and water as well as the cardinal points. At the lower end a hornbill bird is attacking a turtle flanked by two Kpelie masks that display ideals of feminine beauty. The sections are divided with decorated bands in relief. A mottled light and dark surface. Mounted on a custom base.Dimensions: H 59" x W 31.25" x D 1.25" door; H 75" x W 34" x D 12" on standFrom a Harrison, NY EstateProvenance:Carnegie Institute. no 220, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Exotic Art from Ancient and Primitive Civilizations, from the collection of Jay C. Leff, Oct. 15th, 1959 to January 3rd, 1960Museum of Primitive Art, no 35, New York, African Sculpture from the collection of Jay C. Leff, Nov. 25th, 1964 to Feb 7th, 1965.Collection of Jay C. LeffLot 34, Parke-Bernet Galleries, African Art Sale, April 22nd, 1967Reference:James Johnson Sweeney, African Negro Art, New York, 1935, pl. 168Warren Robbins, African Art in American Collections, New York, 1966, pl. 104