Massive Early 20th C. African Dogon Wooden Ladder

**Originally Listed At $2500**

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.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#139228
Condition Report: 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.