113
113
Mali, 19th Century
carved wood 98 h × 13 w × 7 d in (249 × 33 × 18 cm)
carved wood 98 h × 13 w × 7 d in (249 × 33 × 18 cm)
estimate: $3,000–5,000
The Dogon people, who inhabit the Bandiagara escarpment in Mali, have a rich history as carvers. These ladders, carved from a single piece of wood, were used to reach the flat rooftops of granaries and of typical Dogon homes, which are carved into sandstone. The ladders made multi-leveled housing possible, opening up roofs to be used for storage, living, and sleeping. Smaller versions of these utilitarian ladders were used to mark the entrance to shrines and sacred spaces
provenance: The Mar Silver Collection
