Dogon door

Finely carved Dogon door from Mali, Africa.

Dogon doors are seen as a symbol of social position in a village, the grander and more intricate the design, the higher their social status.

This particular door is unusual in its height, with most examples being significantly smaller in stature, which suggests that it belonged to a family of status within a village community.

The rows of carved figures on the door represent the family’s paternal ancestors.

Mali, circa 1890.