BAMANA ANIMAL DOORLOCKS ARCHIVES, Mali

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

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BAMANA Doorlock 33 27.5" x 17.25" SOLD

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BAMANA Doorlocks Page

Photographs © Hamill Gallery

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 to the locked position. Since they lack their keys, they must then be turned upside down to drop the pins back and unlock them.