BAMANA ANIMAL DOORLOCKS, Mali

Click on a name to see other and larger views.

BAMANA Doorlock 31 26" x 16.5" $1300

BAMANA Doorlock 32 24.75" x 15.5" $1200

BAMANA Doorlock 33 27.5" x 17.25" $800

BAMANA Doorlock 34 33" x 20" $800

BAMANA Doorlock 35 35" x 19" $800

BAMANA Door 27 60" high $2000

Photographs © Tim Hamill

BAMANA, Animal Doorlocks, Mali

Used to protect houses and granaries, Bamana doorlocks range from the abstract and symbolic to representations of ancestors or lizards. They are usually larger and more figurative than those of their Dogon neighbors. Gravity-fed metal pins drop into holes in the sliding bolt, some of which also have a metal cover for additional strength and resistence to wear. Locks such as these were afixed with large iron staples through holes to house doors, which were usually plain.

All of these doorlocks have been mounted on metal bases which are included in the price. Every doorlock on this page has its original crossbolt and is operational. We have stated on each lock page how many pins survive and if it has metal on the crossbolt. The crossbolts are lightly wedged in place (in a sort of centered position), but can be slid to the left and locked. Since they lack their keys, they must then be turned upside down to drop the pins back and unlock them.

This page includes only authentic locks with age and evidence of extensive use.

GO TO ANIMALIA EXHIBITION PAGE

GO TO AFRICAN ANIMALS PAGE

GO TO NEW ADDITIONS PAGE

GO TO AFRICAN DOORS PAGE

GO TO AFRICAN DOOR EXHIBITION PAGE

GO TO BAMANA MASKS PAGE

GO TO BAMANA ART PAGE

GO TO BAMANA KOMO MASKS PAGE

GO TO BAMANA KONO MASKS PAGE

GO TO BAMANA CHI WARA PAGE

GO TO BAMANA JO FIGURES PAGE

GO TO ARTIFACTS PAGE

HOMEPAGE

Index by TRIBE

Index by OBJECT

CONTACT US