Grande Porta Dogon - Mali (1) - Legno - Africa Occidentale

Large Dogon Door from Mali
This door is provided with its lock, it was carved with care and is rich in details, through its anthropomorphic and zoomorphic representations, it represents the Dogon cosmology.
The figures may symbolise previous generations, mythical ancestors, but also the owners of the granary, who are frequently represented on it.
The whole is composed of 3 vertical panels, fixed by 2 horizontal elements at the upper and lower extremities.
According to the Dogon mythology, the first inhabitants of the Bandiagara area had crossed the river on the back of a crocodile. The cones in relief indicate the breasts of Nommo, the mythical ancestor, an allegory of fertility.
Besides their decorative value, designs on doors in Mali are intended to dissuade an intruder to penetrate, whether it is a human or an animal.
Height: 109 cm.
Width: 63 cm.
Depth: 6 cm.
Weight: 9425 grams.