DOGON ALTAR SHRINE LADDER ARCHIVES, MALI

The small altar shrine objects below have been sold and are left here for reference and educational purposes.

For UNSOLD Dogon Shrine Objects GO TO DOGON SHRINE LADDER PAGE

 DOGON
Shrine object 21
SOLD

  DOGON
Shrine Object 14
SOLD

 

 DOGON
Shrine Object 37
SOLD


 DOGON
Mini Ladder 15
SOLD

 DOGON
Mini Ladder 19
SOLD

 DOGON
Mini Ladder 16
SOLD

 

DOGON
Mini Ladder 17
SOLD


 DOGON
Shrine Object 2
SOLD

 DOGON
Shrine Object 20
SOLD


DOGON
Mini Ladder 1
SOLD

DOGON
Mini Ladder 3
SOLD

 DOGON
Mini Ladder 4
SOLD

 DOGON
Mini Ladder 5
SOLD

 DOGON
Mini Ladder 10
SOLD

DOGON
Mini Ladder 6
SOLD

 DOGON
Mini Ladder 7
SOLD

 DOGON
Mini Ladder 8
SOLD

DOGON
Mini Ladder 9
SOLD 

  DOGON
Mini Ladder 14
SOLD

Photographs © Hamill Gallery

DOGON, Miniature Ladders, Mali

Dogon ladders have the utilitarian function of enabling people to get to their homes and granaries. While miniature ladders are close replicas of the big ones, they have a purely spiritual purpose. In a secluded part of the house an altar is maintained with various small statues and, most importantly, a small clay jar in which resides the soul of the family's head. The tiny ladder lies against this jar and will serve, upon the decease of its owner, to enable his soul to climb to the hereafter and join his ancestors.

While the big ladders have a surface worn smooth in spots by years of contact with hands and feet, and at the same time a weathered look, the miniature ones are hardly ever handled and are never outside.

from African Forms by Mark Ginzberg.

We are not clear yet on the relationship of the small Dogon staffs to these miniature ladders. They are not ladders but could function in a similar or quite different way.

DOGON
Mini Staff
Catalog

DOGON
Mini Staff
Catalog

GO TO GEOMETRIES EXHIBITION PAGE

GO TO DOGON MINIATURE STAFFS PAGE

GO TO DOGON FIGURES PAGE

GO TO DOGON MASKS PAGE

GO TO DOGON ART PAGE

RETURN TO DOGON OBJECTS PAGE

GO TO ART OF DOGON EXHIBITION PAGE

GO TO AFRICAN FIGURES PAGE

GO TO MASKS AND HEADS PAGE

GO TO AFRICAN METALWORK PAGE

GO TO NEW ADDITIONS PAGE

GO TO DOGON TOGUNA POSTS PAGE

GO TO ARTIFACTS PAGE

GO TO AFRICAN POSTS PAGE

GO TO NEW ADDITIONS PAGE

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