Bellfoundries

Bellfoundries are metalworking facilities specialized in casting bells, typically from bronze, an alloy of copper and tin. The craft serves religious, civic, and musical contexts, producing everything from small hand bells to large tower bells and carillons. The work combines metallurgical knowledge, sculpture, and acoustics, with a focus on the bell’s shape, balance, and tonal qualities.

Bell production begins with the creation of a mold around a core to form the bell’s hollow interior. Molten bronze is poured into the mold and allowed to cool. After casting, the bell is finished and tuned by removing precise amounts of metal from the rim or interior to achieve the desired pitch and timbre. In some cases, bells are recast if the initial tone is unsuitable. Modern practice may use various casting methods, including ceramic and sand molds, depending on the bell size and design.

Notable bellfoundries include Whitechapel Bell Foundry in London, historically responsible for bells such as the Liberty Bell and the Great Bell commonly known as Big Ben. Fonderie Paccard in France and Eijsbouts in the Netherlands are renowned for church bells and carillons. The Verdin Company in the United States is a prominent producer of church and civic bells and related tower fittings.

Bellfoundries operate within a broader ecosystem that includes tower owners, organ builders, and carillon publishers. Bells require regular maintenance, including tuning and re-casting when damage or cracking occurs. Modern bells may be cast in bronze or alternative alloys for specific acoustic or durability needs. The industry has seen consolidation and adaptation to contemporary markets, including replicas, school bells, and decorative chimes.