BAMANA DOORLOCKS, Mali

The doorlocks below have been vetted as authentic with signs of age and evidence of extensive use.


 BAMANA
Doorlock 1
19.5" high
$700

 BAMANA
Doorlock 3
17" high
SOLD

BAMANA
Doorlock 4
21" high
$500


 BAMANA
Doorlock 5
21" high
SOLD

 BAMANA
Doorlock 6
23" high
$500

 BAMANA
Doorlock 7
24" high
SOLD

BAMANA
Doorlock 8
22" high
$500

 BAMANA
Doorlock 9
23" high
$500

 BAMANA
Doorlock 11
20" high
$500


BAMANA
Doorlock 12
18" high
$400

 BAMANA
Doorlock 13
18.5" high
$1000

BAMANA
Doorlock 16
18.5" high
$800


BAMANA
Doorlock 18
20.5" high
$500

 BAMANA
Doorlock 19
24" high
SOLD

BAMANA
Doorlock 20
22" high
$500


BAMANA
Doorlock 21
18.5" high
$500

BAMANA
Doorlock 24
15.5" high
$300

 BAMANA
Doorlock 25
17" high
$500


BAMANA
Doorlock 2
22.25" high x 18" wide
$1200


The doorlocks below have been vetted as authentic.

BAMANA
Doorlock 17
18.5" high
SOLD

 

 BAMANA
Doorlock 22*
33.5" high
SOLD

BAMANA
Doorlock 23*
32.5" high
$400

Photographs © Hamill Gallery

BAMANA, Doorlocks, Mali

Used to protect houses and granaries, Bamana doorlocks range from the abstract and symbolic to representations of ancestors. 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. Placing an image of an ancestor on the doorlock offered additional protection by making the door sacrosanct. All of these (except number 6) share the form of having legs, other Bamana doorlocks are legless or animal forms.

All of these doorlocks have been mounted on metal bases which are included in the price. Every doorlock on this page (except no. 5 and possibly no. 8) has its original crossbolt and is operational. We have stated on each lock page how many pins survive, if it has metal on the crossbolt and the height (shown here on this page) and width of the lock. The crossbolts are lightly wedged in place (in a sort of centered position), but can be slid to the left to the locked position. Only number13 has a key, the others must be turned upside down to drop the pins back and unlock them.

*We are not sure of the function of locks 22 and 23 which are mounted on posts.

GO TO BAMANA ART PAGE

GO TO A DILEMMA OF HORNS EXHIBITION PAGE

GO TO BAMANA DOORLOCKS ARCHIVES PAGE (ALL SOLD)

GO TO DOGON DOORLOCKS 2 PAGE

GO TO AFRICAN DOORS PAGE

GO TO AFRICAN DOORS EXHIBITION PAGE

GO TO BAMANA MASKS PAGE

GO TO BAMANA KOMO MASKS PAGE

GO TO BAMANA KONO MASKS PAGE

GO TO BAMANA CHI WARA HEADDRESSES PAGE

GO TO BAMANA JO MATERNITY FIGURES PAGE

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