Massive Early 20th C. African Dogon Wooden Ladder
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Description
West Africa, Mali, Dogon, ca. first half of the 20th century CE. An enormous ladder carved by hand from the trunk of a hard wood tree. The ladder has a slender base, six large steps carved into the obverse side, and a forked top portion. The midsection of the ladder is curved slightly outwards and the backs of both forked prongs are worn, both signs of repeated use. The Dogon peoples typically built their homes into the sides of sandstone cliffs, though they could be free-standing structures as well. Dwellings with flat roofs usually have large holes in the center, and families would climb ladders like this example to sleep in the cool night air when the weather permitted. Dogon peoples also used large wooden ladders to access upper storage areas in granaries. While not regularly used in modern times, ladders like this are still cherished possessions prized for their sturdy craftsmanship and lustrous surface patina. Size: 19.75" W x 86.5" H (50.2 cm x 219.7 cm).
For a stylistically-similar example, please see the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, accession number 98.239: https://www.mfah.org/art/detail/33023?returnUrl=%2Fart%2Fsearch%3Fartist%3DDogon%2Bpeoples
Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; ex-Merton Simpson collection, New York, USA, acquired in the 1980s
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#139228
For a stylistically-similar example, please see the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, accession number 98.239: https://www.mfah.org/art/detail/33023?returnUrl=%2Fart%2Fsearch%3Fartist%3DDogon%2Bpeoples
Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; ex-Merton Simpson collection, New York, USA, acquired in the 1980s
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#139228
Condition
Surface wear and abrasions commensurate with age and use, small losses to several steps and areas of forked prongs, multiple stable pressure fissures, and some splintering. Nice earthen deposits and wonderful lustrous patina throughout.
Buyer's Premium
- 24.5%
Massive Early 20th C. African Dogon Wooden Ladder
Estimate $6,000 - $9,000
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