BAMANA DOORLOCKS, Mali

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

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.