Dogon Wood Ladder, Mali, Based

Nine feet of dark wood, leaning slightly, its fork still open to the sky.

This ladder is Dogon, from Mali in West Africa, and dates to the 20th century. It is wood. Ladders notched from forked trunks have been a practical part of Dogon life, reaching up to flat roofs and storage lofts. The gently curved shaft is cut with a run of shallow steps, each glossy on its tread. The surface is near black, with paler patches on the arms of the Y. A flat metal base holds it upright. It stands 109 inches high.

Going up looks manageable. Coming down, one would want to think about.