When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
TitleMossi Figural Granary Door Burkina Faso African ArtType of ObjectDoorCountry of OriginBurkina FasoPeopleMossiMaterialsWood, metal, pigmentApproximate Agesecond half 20th CenturyOther Dimensions25.5 inches H. x 10 inches W.Overall ConditionGoodDamage/Repairwear, shallow cracks
Additional Information: Wooden door decorated with a figure standing on a liizard . A carved snake is placed above the standing figure.
The Mossi are today the largest single group living in Burkina Faso. They originated from horsemen who made their way north from present day Ghana during the 1500\'s. The Mossi are renowned for their masquerades and the use of large superbly sculpted and brightly painted masks and colorful costumes. Mossi elders are honored with elaborate funerals and the appearance of masked dancers with masks representing ancestors and various spirits and forces of Nature in dramatic and often vigorous dances. This carving was used as a door for granaries. As subsistence farmers they depend upon the food they produce to live, storing it in granaries made of mud with thatched roofs and carved doors providing access to the foodstuffs held in the granary.
Numerous granaries attest not only to the need to store food but equally reflect family structures as each wife will have her own granary where personal objects as well as family shrines are kept. Openings into the granary were sealed by carved doors or panels. Figures of humans, animals or of symbolic motifs were carved in relief onto the surface of the door, and sometimes into the locks. Most Mossi carvings of humans refer to the primordial ancestors who brought humankind to earth and who were the first farmers and blacksmiths.
I have examined this piece and agree with the description
Niangi Batulukisi, Ph.D.
**90238**
All content, including pictures, Copyright Africa Direct Inc., 2006
Add Us To Your Favorite Sellers!
Please visit our About Us page.
Africa Direct, Inc. has been selling on since 1997 and has received more than 51,000 positive responses. It is owned by Eliza and Sara, who began the company after spending a year wandering southern Africa in a camper van with their multi-racial family. They have been honored with \'s Hall of Fame award, and by Giving Works, through which they have raised more than $125,000 in charity sales.
Customer Service: We treasure our many long term customers, and will try to make you one of them! If you have problems, please tell us... we care!
Handling Time: We ship daily except Sundays and holidays. Most orders go out the same day, and all go out within 48 hours.
Returns: We want you to be happy with your purchase. You\'re welcome to return an item within 30 days in the same condition you received it--just let us know you\'re returning it. You may have either a credit or a refund for your purchase price, not including shipping both ways. If your original payment was made through PayPal, we\'ll refund you through PayPal; if you paid us directly with your credit card, we\'ll refund the credit card.
Combining Shipping: You are welcome to wait to pay, and to combine multiple items for shipping. We ask that you keep each order to 10 days or 10 items, whichever comes first--then start another order.
When you\'re ready, just send us a list of item numbers or an invoice request and we\'ll send you an invoice. You can pay by Paypal or credit card.
U.S. Shipping: We use a professional shipper who has worked with us for ten years. He and his staff take great care in packing our artwork, much of which is antique, irregularly-shaped, and fragile. The cost of his labor and the special packing materials he uses is reflected in our handling price. Our U.S. shipping charges also include insurance; we self-insure on smaller orders. For these reasons, our shipping and handling charges may be more than the price of postage.
International Shipping: We ship dozens of international orders each week, to customers on every continent except Antarctica! The shipping charges included in our listings are for U.S. orders. Contact us for shipping charges to your country. We offer uninsured USPS First Class airmail, insured Priority airmail, and insured Express airmail to most parts of the world, depending on the weight, volume, and value of an item. We also ship via FedEx or DHL on request.
Import duties, taxes, and charges are NOT INCLUDED in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer\'s responsibility. Please check with your country\'s customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to offerding / buying. These charges are normally collected by the delivering freight (shipping) company or when you pick the item up -- do not confuse them for additional shipping charges. And please do not ask us to mark merchandise values below the actual value or mark items as \"gifts\"--U.S. and International government regulations prohibit such behavior.
Newsletter, previews and special offers: Sign up for our newsletter
Go to Africa Direct Store
