Dogon Wood Miniature Ladder, Based

A trunk with a fork at the top and seven notches for feet.

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 tree trunk with a forked top, and full size ones are used to climb to granary roofs and cliffside buildings. This miniature version keeps the form. A slim, slightly curved shaft is cut with rounded steps, and a V shaped fork splays at the top. The grain is cracked and weathered, and a thin black metal plate holds it upright. It is 4 inches wide and deep and 19 high.

Scaled down, but still aiming upward.