Songye Bellows, D.R. Congo

Description of Significance:

This rare, authentic antique Songye wooden bellows was a crucial tool in a blacksmith's forge. Carved by the Songye people, known for their rich heritage and distinct artistry, the bellows feature two hollow chambers wrapped in tanned animal hide to create are chambers. These chambers allowed the blacksmith’s apprentice to pump air through the neck, stoking the forge's fire to the necessary heat for metalworking. The Songye people, who are renowned for their powerful masks and sculptures, held their blacksmiths in high regard, viewing them with a mix of respect and awe. These blacksmiths were feared for their mastery of ironwork, creating not only tribal tools and weapons but also objects imbued with spiritual significance, used to invoke and mediate with deities and other supernatural forces. Many in the community believed these artisans possessed mystical powers, reinforcing the blacksmith’s elevated status within Songye society.

Origin:

• Handcrafted in D.R. Congo

Dimensions (inches):

• Depth: 6"
• Width: 17"
• Height: 36" 
• Depth with Base: 7"
• Width with Base: 17"
• Height with Base: 38"

Materials: 

• Wood
  
• Iron
  

Display:

• Includes a wooden base, allowing the piece to stand independently.
• Includes an attached wire on the back, making it easy to hang on the wall.

About Antique African Art:

Hemingway Gallery regards antique African art as the best artistic expression of aesthetic beauty and storytelling throughout the known history of art. Aside from artistic taste, African art accrues value in different ways than other genres, including use in ceremonial settings as well as age. 50 years can be regarded as old or antique when it comes to wood masks and totems. Hemingway Gallery provides both authoritative insight and context into each artifact in the collection, possessing and readily exhibiting direct, intimate knowledge of the source and pedigree. The goal is to preserve and curate one-of-a-kind artifacts of importance while creating a platform for the acquisition of spectacular unique pieces within financial reach.

Our Pricing:

Hemingway Gallery ethically sources all the fine art in our collection. Our pricing correlates directly to the asking prices of artists, artisans and art dealers in the various African countries we collect from and the costs of importing the artwork to the U.S. We need to change the idea that artists should be paid pennies for their fine art just because it comes from Africa. Paying a fair price in Africa  is our number one priority and our pricing reflects that. 

Shipping:

• Shipped with FedEx Ground: $85
• This piece will be shipped in a large box.
• A declared value is included in the shipping so a signature is required for delivery.
• We ship around the world! Our website is still new and is not yet processing automatic international shipping rates. Please contact us directly for custom shipping quotes outside the mainland USA (including Hawaii and Alaska).

Further Information:

Please email us at info@hemingwayafricangallery.com or call 212-838-3650 with the SKU # for further information on this piece.