Early 1800's Symbolic African Dogon Door

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Description

Carved from a single length of hardwood, this door features a motif documented specifically within Dogon granary door tradition: two … Read more Carved from a single length of hardwood, this door features a motif documented specifically within Dogon granary door tradition: two carved pairs of rounded breast forms set near the top of the panel, symbolizing fertility and prosperity within Dogon belief. Granary doors carrying this motif were historically understood to invoke protection and abundance over the stored grain behind them, and the complexity of a door's carving often reflected the social standing of the family it belonged to. A carved tab at the upper right marks where the door once fit its frame. A long vertical crack runs the height of the panel, stabilized at its center with an old metal staple repair, evidence of a piece kept in active use rather than replaced when damaged.
The wood carries a deep, uneven patina and considerable surface wear consistent with genuine antique age. Mounted on its custom stand, this door's distinctive symbolic carving and evident history make it a compelling piece for a collector's space, reading as much as cultural artifact as it does sculpture.

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