Object of the Week: Dogon Doors

WHAT IS IT?

The Dogon people live in central Mali, primarily in villages at the foot of the Bandiagara Escarpment, a massive sandstone cliff running around 120 miles long. Due to their historic geographical isolation, their art is some of Africa’s finest and best preserved. The Dogon, subsistence farmers who hold ancient animist beliefs, traditionally used these carved wooden doors and shutters on granaries, usually made of mud bricks and thatched roofs. In Dogon culture, larger male granaries housed grain (mostly millet), and usually had more than one door. Smaller female granaries housed other food staples, personal objects (jewelry, clothing, pottery), and Binu shrines; Men were not allowed in these structures. The doors and shutters were also sometimes created and given as gifts for birthdays, marriages, good luck, and rites of passage.

The doors use a simple, sliding wooden latch as a lock and pointed corners that serve as hinges. The doors are adorned with a variety of three dimensional, high-relief symbols and geometric carvings, and the level of detail usually reflects the status of the household. A variety of symbols grace the carvings and many relate to fertility, protection, and power. Sticklike human figures represent ancestors (known as “Nommo”) and offer protection, keeping spirits at bay. Kanaga masks, birds, and breasts represent fertility. Crocodiles, sun lizards, and turtles are also sometimes included.

HOW TO STYLE

GENERAL TIPS

—If possible, hanging these usually looks better than leaning the doors against a wall.

—Use one large one on it’s own, or place two or three in a series above a sofa, bed, or console table.

EXAMPLES

Dogon doors make beautiful wall art. Since they are so intricate and unique, less is almost always more.

Here is one above a fireplace mantel. The simplicity and other organic elements in the frame really let it shine!

NOT a Dogon door, but a similar concept. This pair of Nigerian Igbo doors look stunning flanking the mirror.

These two dogon doors are attached to sliding panels and conceal a TV! Brilliant.

Coffee table top?

Make it a freestanding sculpture!

WHERE TO BUY

The Originals freestanding door (above) is one of my favorites. As usual, Chairish comes in with a strong selection. Etsy also has a variety of sizes and designs.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS

Any beautiful door or shutters can be use in a similar fashion.

These Restoration Hardware panels create a similar feel. The calmness of the symmetry and understated decor makes it one of my favorite examples in this post…which I guess is why I included it twice.

Anthropologie is also offering similar wood carved panels.

And the world is your oyster! From India, China, to Europe and the US... Do what works for your style and home.