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Door Lock
26 x 16 5/8 x 3 1/4 in. (66 x 42.2 x 8.3 cm)Bamana artist
Mali
Bamana; made in Mali
Object Type:
Sculpture
Medium and Support:
Wood and metal
Credit Line:
Marion Stratton Gould Fund
Accession Number:
1969.71
Location: Currently on view
This is a door lock of the Bamana people. Inside the lock, metal pins attach the horizontal and vertical elements. A metal key must be inserted into the hole between the creature’s shoulders to release the pins in the lock. But in truth, the functional value of a Bamana door lock is secondary to its spiritual value. An individual determined to break into a house with a sculpted door lock would find it an easy matter. Bamana door locks are primarily meant to protect a home against malevolent spirit forces seeking entry. This lock is in the form of a crocodile or water iguana. In Bamana mythology, these lizards are representatives of Faro, a powerful and beneficent deity who protects against sorcery.
[Gallery label text, 2009]
[Gallery label text, 2009]
Provenance
Afrantique Arts, Wyckoff, NJ; purchased from them by the Gallery in 1969
Additional Images
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Exhibition List
This object was included in the following exhibitions:
- Traditional Art of Black Africa Memorial Art Gallery 11/14/1969 - 12/28/1969
Bibliography
This object has the following bibliographic references:
- Article Author: Kreamer, Christine Mullen. Article Scope: Article and reproduction. Susan Dodge Peters, ed. Memorial Art Gallery: An Introduction to the Collection. New York, New York: Memorial Art Gallery in association with Hudson Hills Press, 1988. Page Number: 240-241
Portfolio List
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This object is a member of the following portfolios: