Dogon Wood Miniature Ladder, Based

One short branch near the top, and a long lean on the way up.

This miniature ladder, based, is Dogon, from Mali, West Africa, and dates to the 20th century. It is wood. Dogon ladders are generally made from a single trunk with a stub of a branch left at the top, and full size ones are used to reach granaries and upper floors. This miniature is a long, slightly bowed pole, with faint cut steps and a short side stub near the top. The surface is rough, dry and worn, with pale flecks showing through the brown. A thin black metal plate holds it upright. It is 3 inches wide and deep and 19.75 high.

A ladder in miniature, with no loss of ambition.