{"product_id":"antique-african-bamana-three-guardian-door-lock","title":"Antique African Bamana Three Guardian Door Lock","description":"\u003ch3 data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThree carved figures rise above an antique Malian door lock\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThree elongated human figures stand side by side above the vertical body of this antique wooden door lock, their simplified faces and repeated forms creating a striking sculptural rhythm. A substantial horizontal bolt crosses the lower portion, preserving the functional construction that once secured a door or granary in Mali.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAttributed to the Bamana tradition, the lock joins practical design with figural carving. Its weathered brown surface, rounded edges, tool marks, and softened details record years of handling and use. Mounted upright for display, the complete mechanism can now be viewed as both a working form and an accomplished example of West African woodcarving.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Bamana Door-Lock Tradition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFunctional Sculpture:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Traditional Malian locks combine a carved vertical body with a sliding horizontal bolt, turning an everyday security device into a visually expressive object.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThree-Figure Composition:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e The trio of standing figures distinguishes this example from locks centered on a single human or animal form. Their specific identities are undocumented and have not been assigned to particular ancestors or spirits.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBamana Attribution:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Figural door locks are closely associated with Bamana communities in Mali, where they were used on dwellings, storage structures, and granaries.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecialist Woodcarving:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Bamana locks were traditionally produced by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003enumu\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, specialist blacksmiths whose work could encompass both ironworking and woodcarving.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCarving, Mechanism \u0026amp; Surface\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHand-Carved Wood:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Each figure is individually shaped with an elongated body, rounded head, incised facial features, and subtle differences in proportion.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSliding Bolt:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e The surviving horizontal element preserves the lock’s original mechanical structure rather than presenting the carved section alone.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAged Brown Surface:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Years of contact and exposure have produced tonal variation, worn high points, and softened carved details throughout the wood.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMounted Display:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e A fitted stand supports the lock upright so its figures, bolt, and narrow side profile remain visible.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProduct Details\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Carved wood\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eObject Type:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Figural door lock with sliding horizontal bolt\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDesign:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Three standing human figures\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approximately 17.5 in long x 4 in deep x 22.25 in high\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eColor:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Brown\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCulture:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Attributed to the Bamana people\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Mali\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEra:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Antique; precise date undocumented\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaker:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Unknown\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDisplay:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Mounted upright on a custom stand\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eQuantity:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e One door lock with stand\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAntique condition with surface wear, softened carving, tool marks, blemishes, tonal variation, and irregularities consistent with age and former use. Please review the photographs closely for the condition of the figures, wooden bolt, and mounted assembly.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIdeal For\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollectors of Bamana art and historic Malian material culture\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollections devoted to African architectural objects, doors, locks, and functional carving\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThose studying the relationship between blacksmithing, woodcarving, and daily life in West Africa\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollectors drawn to repeated human figures and sculptural interpretations of utilitarian forms\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA significant gift for someone building a focused collection of antique African woodwork\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWith three figures incorporated directly into its working structure, this antique Bamana lock demonstrates how utility and sculpture could occupy the same object.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"DE-COR | Globally Inspired","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67801120702771,"sku":"IMG_9704","price":985.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0959\/8566\/4307\/files\/UntitledDesign-2026-10-27T105312.804.png?v=1793123638","url":"https:\/\/atlasandkiln.com\/products\/antique-african-bamana-three-guardian-door-lock","provider":"Atlas \u0026 Kiln","version":"1.0","type":"link"}