Photographs © Tim Hamill
MOSSI DOORLOCK 28, 9"h., $250, Burkina Faso
Used to protect houses and granaries, Mossi doorlocks are usually abstract. 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. Large locks such as these were afixed with large iron staples through holes to house doors.
Some of the locks, with feet, can stand on their own; the others can be mounted or hung as is on a wall. We have attempted to state for each lock whether the bar matches perfectly or not, and how many pins survive. None have the "keys" to unlock them, they have to be turned upside down.
Lock no.28, bar does match, 0 pin(s) remaining. Key has 3 prongs to push up dropped pins, freeing the bar to be slid back.
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