EARLY 20TH C ANTIQUE DOGON MALI W AFRICA HAND-CARVED FIG WOOD GRANARY DOOR/LATCH
 
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DESCRIPTION:
For sale is this nearly unblemished, authentic and absolutely untouched, original, early 20th century antique, hand carved indigenous African hardwood, figurative grain cabinet hinged door panel fragment, one of two doors that would have served as the pair of front doors of these wonderful carved wooden figurative sculptural architectural elements from the Dogon indigenous tribal people of Mali, West Africa. Only an extemporaneous headed nail has since been driven into the top of the carved wood latch surround, presumably to stabilize the latch assembly. This was done previously and we've left the nail in place and the entire door as it was found and in the same condition we purchased it in. The door panel features multiple carved figures of what appear to be protective deities or women, possibly goddesses, with abstract breasts and who appear to be pregnant, with protruding stomachs. This reference to fertility and nourishment, makes perfect sense, since these carved wood panel doors were granary doors that held precious seed, grain and dry food, protecting them from harmful pests, such as insects and vermin. Outstanding. 
 
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Doors like these protected the window-like openings into each family's grain storage wooden cabinet, and used a simple sliding wooden door lock. Primordial beings, ancestors, Kanaga masks, sun lizards and scenes of life, symbolically served to protect the entrance, by making it sacrosanct. 
 
CONDITION:
Very good to Excellent overall original condition.
DESCRIPTION:For sale is this nearly unblemished, authentic and absolutely untouched, original, early 20th century antique, hand carved indigenous African hardwood, figurative grain cabinet hinged door panel fragment, one of two doors that would have served as the pair of front doors of these wonderful carved wooden figurative sculptural architectural elements from the Dogon indigenous tribal people of Mali, West Africa. Only an extemporaneous headed nail has since been driven into the top of the carved wood latch surround, presumably to stabilize the latch assembly. This was done previously and we've left the nail in place and the entire door as it was found and in the same condition we purchased it in. The door panel features multiple carved figures of what appear to be protective deities or women, possibly goddesses, with abstract breasts and who appear to be pregnant, with protruding stomachs. This reference to fertility and nourishment, makes perfect sense, since these carved wood panel doors were granary doors that held precious seed, grain and dry food, protecting them from harmful pests, such as insects and vermin. Outstanding. FURTHER INFORMATION:Doors like these protected the window-like openings into each family's grain storage wooden cabinet, and used a simple sliding wooden door lock. Primordial beings, ancestors, Kanaga masks, sun lizards and scenes of life, symbolically served to protect the entrance, by making it sacrosanct.  CONDITION:Very good to Excellent overall original condition.