Dogon Wood Ladder, Mali, Based

Over nine feet of forked timber, with steps you would have to trust.

This ladder is Dogon, from Mali in West Africa, and dates to the early 20th century. It is wood, and appears cut from a single forked trunk. Notched ladders of this kind are well known from Dogon villages, where they gave access to roofs and granaries. Deep notches climb a gently bowed shaft to a broad Y at the top. The surface is dark and scored with fine cuts. It rises 112 inches on a black metal base.

A handrail was evidently not discussed.