Dogon Wood Ladder, Mali, Based

The slimmest of the set, with a trunk no wider than a forearm.

A Dogon ladder from Mali, West Africa, made in wood in the early 20th century. These ladders were traditionally hewn from a forked tree trunk and are commonly used to climb to granary roofs. This one is unusually narrow, its fork a tall, thin V and its trunk straight and nearly columnar. The wood is a mellow brown with a polished, almost leathery sheen, and slight ridges mark the notched steps. A small black base holds it upright.

About 63 inches tall and only about fifteen wide. Fits where nothing else will.