Dogon Wood Ladder, Mali, Based

Sixty-two inches of wood, bent like a thought that changed halfway.

Dogon carvers of Mali, West Africa, made this ladder in wood in the early 20th century. Notched ladders cut from a single forked trunk have long been used for reaching granary roofs and upper terraces, and the fork is the natural top. Here the trunk bends in a pronounced S, and the two prongs spread wide. The surface is silvery gray-brown, deeply weathered, with pale areas where hands have worn the grain smooth. It stands on a small black base.

About 62 inches tall. Leaning would be undignified. This one stands.