Bamana Figural Door Lock Mali MATTER COLLECTION

This is an early 20th-century Figural Door Lock by the Bamana

Bamana door locks consist of two components: a stationary vertical element, often adorned with abstract or figurative carvings, attached to the door using iron staples, and a horizontal wooden piece that slides through the vertical element. Iron teeth on the horizontal piece secure the door by engaging with small holes, while the door's pointed corners act as hinges. 

A sculpted wooden lock keeps the door closed, and a small key lifts the iron pegs to unlock it. The face carved on the lock follows the distinctive Bamana style, reminiscent of figures representing ancestors crucial for protection against malevolent spirits and sorcery, essential for safeguarding the space. The sliding bar for locking aligns just behind the vertical part, completing the intricate and functional design of these culturally significant door locks.

Provenance: Matter Collection

From the collection of Margie and Phil Matter. Margie lived in South Africa, and later she and her husband Phil opened a gallery in Tucson. Everything in this collection was in their home for more than thirty years. Africa Direct recently bought the collection; at 95, Margie wants to share the things she has loved so much.

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