Hi Alex,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.

This is a ceremonial or shrine cabinet or "spirit house" made in West Africa, by either the Dogon people of Mali or, less likely, in neighboring Burkina Faso, which had similar carving traditions.

This is hollowed out from a massive single piece of wood with a symbolic guardian spirit depicted on the roofline. The shelved interior would have held ritual objects, offerings, protective charms or other sacred household materials.

The spiraling motif on the door symbolizes the sun and life cycles, though the arched door and molded base are more sophisticated elements than you usually see and may indicate that this was made with an eye for export or the tourist trade. It is probably made of ironwood - a heavy, dense wood commonly found in West Africa - and shows shrinkage consistent with having been made in the early 20th Century.

If this were sold in an auction of African antiques, it would probably sell for between $400 and $600.

Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

An antique Dogon carved ironwood reliquary cabinet
probably made for export, early 20th Century
In the form of a house with arched roof capped by a stylized figure, over a relief-carved frieze, over an arched door opening to a shelved interior, on a stepped base, on short feet.
Height: 33 inches; width: 20 inches
CONDITION: This appears to be in good condition with wear and shrinkage consistent with age.
PROVENANCE: Purchased at an estate sale
$400-600*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia