Dogon Door Lock

Beautifully engraved door lock with a geometric pattern symbolizing Dogon religious and cosmological beliefs. Pascal James Imperato writes in Door Locks of the Bamana of Mali that the Dogon people “use sculpted locks on house, granary, and sanctuary doors,” with sculptural forms and pyroengraved patinas reflecting “Dogon legend, religious beliefs, cosmology, and social themes.” Compared with those of the Bamana, “the vertical and horizontal beams of Dogon locks are often wider,” with more locking pins and a lateral key insertion. Wooden keys with metal teeth were used with corresponding locking pins. Ex collection Jerry Vogel.

13″

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