Images(3)

Figurated Bellows

Dateearly 20th century

Label TextThis human body is uniquely adapted to serve as a tool for a blacksmith. Instead of a chest, the figure has two chambers covered with bags of animal skin. When placed near a furnace, the bags envelope a volume of air that is pushed by sticks to force air out through a tubular passage. Such controlled air fans the fire and keeps the flame at the high heat required to smelt iron. Pushing the sticks in a rhythmic pattern, a blacksmith oversaw the creation the iron tools and weapons which once established leaders in Songye society. Smelting depended on the union of primal elements- earth, air, fire and water- and would give birth to iron as its offspring. While the body was being activated, the face above the bellows is symmetrical and frontal, seeming to concentrate on assisting the smith with a mouth that implies contentment. African bellows are rarely this complete, as the skin bags are usually missing and appear as circular recesses. The donor used a CT scan to determine that the sculpted head was continuous with the body, and thereby verify its integrity as a sculpture that comes from the early 20th century. There are no similar sculptures in the collection, and this example augments the museum’s selection of African ironwork given by Tom Joyce, a renowned American blacksmith/artist.

Although this man has a calm face, his body was once activated by a blacksmith. Sitting next to a blazing furnace, the smith would rhythmically push the two bags with the protruding sticks, an action that forced a concentrated channel of air into the fire to maintain the high heat required to smelt iron. Blacksmiths oversee the creation of the iron tools and weapons that are carried by leaders in Songye society, so this sculpture seems to concentrate on assisting this important work.

Object number2017.25

Provenance[Gallery Farid, New York]; purchased by Oliver E. Cobb, Seattle, Washington, early 1990s

Photo CreditPhoto: Elizabeth Mann

Credit LineGift of Oliver E. Cobb and Pamela F. Cobb in honor of Thomas G.B. Wheelock

DimensionsHeight: 18 1/2 in. (47 cm)

MediumWood, animal skin, sticks