Dogon Wood Miniature Ladder, Based

A trunk with a Y at the top and a pattern of nicks up the side.

This miniature ladder, based, is Dogon, from Mali, West Africa, and dates to the 20th century. It is wood. Dogon ladders are generally cut from a single forked trunk, with steps notched in the shaft, and full size examples reach granaries and rooftops. This miniature is tall and slightly bowed, in rough, dark wood with a gritty surface. A short fork splays at the top, and a series of carved notches runs along the shaft. A thin black metal plate holds it upright. It is 5 inches wide, 4 deep and 21 high.

Small in scale and long in the leg.