Early 20th C. Mali Bamana Wood Door Lock w/ Figure

West Africa, Mali, Malinke/Bamana peoples, ca. early to mid 20th century CE. A hand-carved wooden door lock of a traditional anthropomorphic form that includes the main body of the lock as well as the slide bar. The vertical component represents a stylized human figure with a crested headdress or coiffure, bold facial features, an angular neck, and a wide torso adorned by incised linear and cross-hatched motifs, likely intended to represent tattooing or scarification. Additional incised motifs adorn the horizontal slide bar. Though difficult to conclude whether male or female, the pointed element at the lower end may represent a phallus. A very nice example with lustrous patina. Size: 10.875" W x 13.25" H (27.6 cm x 33.7 cm); 14.5" H (36.8 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection

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#147445
Condition Report: Verso of body below the head and slide lock are not carved and present perforations presumably once used to attach to a door. Two perforations through vertical body also for securing to door. Three perforations on one side of the slide lock, also for securing. Some normal surface wear with areas of abrasion particularly on the horizontal sliding mechanism, but these are commensurate with age and use. Nice lustrous patina.