How a bell is born
The bell mold is built from the inside out. First a brick-core template is made of the bell’s interior, then layers of clay are applied to it creating what is called the false bell. The false bell is then covered with molten wax, then captions, dates and inscriptions are applied on its well-polished surface. The surface is then covered with a further layer of clay which form the mantle or shirt of the bell. When the parts are dry, the inside of the core is heated by burning charcoal in the inner part of the bell. The wax melts and then drains out from the mold, leaving the negative inscriptions impressed on the mantle, which is then lifted and placed on the brick core once the false bell has been broken away and removed.
In the inner hollow space where the false bell was created, molten bronze is then poured at a temperature of about 1200 ° C. The metal is filtered with special fine ceramic filters and poured in a swirling motion favoring the separation of solid particles which, by attraction, will adhere to the internal surface of the transit allowing it to not obstruct the original section. Once the slow cooling process ends and once the mold is removed, a new bell comes to life. The last stages are those of finishing and sound testing.
MEROLLA s.r.l.
Kt. Michele Merolla
Headquarter Via Catapani, 15 84018 Scafati (SA)
Factory Via XXV Aprile, 117 80040 Poggiomarino (NA)
Telephone +39 081 528 57 77
Fax +39 081 338 11 62
E-mail info@merollacampane.com
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Light meets art.
Art meets sound