A beautiful set of seven ancient miniature ladders, votive altar sculptures used for sacrifices and funeral rites, testifying to and recalling the symbolic importance of this object both in the daily life of the Dogon in the Bandiagara cliffs, access to granaries and houses, and as an artistic and spiritual concept, implying the principle of elevation, having profoundly influenced the creation of the great classical arts from Tellem statuary to Dogon art. Tellem and Dogon, Mali, pre-18th century Wood, very fine old patina from use and sacrifice. H.: 33 to 55.5cm Provenance: Jacques Viault Collection, acquired from Sanga