Early 20th C Antique Dogon Mali W Africa Hand-carved Fig Wood Granary Door/latch
Very Good-Excellent overall antique cond: For sale is this nearly unblemished & authentic, orig early 20th c antique hand carved indigenous African hardwood, figurative grain cabinet hinged door fragment, 1 of 2 doors that would've served as the pr of front doors of these wonderfully carved wooden figurative sculptural architectural elements, from the Dogon 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. The door panel features multiple carved figures of what appear to be protective deities or women, possibly goddesses, w/abstract breasts & pregnant stomachs. This reference to fertility & nourishment, makes perfect sense, since these carved wood panel doors were granary doors that held precious seed, grain & dry food.