Object Name: Door posts
Place of Origin: Pate Island, Kenya
Cultural Group: Swahili, Siyu peoples
Materials Used: Wood
Date: c. 1700’s
Dimensions: L: (A) 239 cm, L: (B) 240 cm (A: 94.0 in, B: 94.4 in)
Credit Line and Accession Number: Fowler Museum at UCLA. The Jerome L. Joss Collection. X90.180a,b

Although they frame a single door, these eighteenth century door posts have totally asymmetrical patterns. The axes, bow and arrow and broad-bladed spear carved on the bottom of the posts were meant to warn people against carrying actual weapons inside the home or using them with evil intent.

Source: Ross, Doran H. ed. (1994): “Visions of Africa”, Los Angeles, UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History. page 150