Bell foundry – polishing the bell

About the sound

The sound of polishing the bell with an electric grinding machine. The recording was realized in Felczyńscy Bell Foundry in Taciszów (Poland).

The recording presents the final stage of production of a bell, i.e. final polishing of the instrument's surface.
Production of the bell takes several months. This process includes: long-lasting preparation of a clay mold for the bell, casting of metal to the forms, cleaning and polishing the casts. The ready bell is attached to the yoke, which is a movable element of the suspension. The yoke is mounted on an immovable seat, at the top of the bell's tower.

Bells in the Felczyńscy Bell Foundry are produced with foundry methods, practiced from Renaissance. Any modernizations are connected with application of electric tools that stir the clay and polish the bells. The first Bell Foundry in the Felczyńscy family was established in 1808. Since then, the intergenerational transfer of craftsman traditions has taken place.

Sound recordist: Monika Widzicka
Photographer: Rafał Sworst
Video recordist: Piotr Leszczyński