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- 4th part of the mold : COVERING The " fake bell " is layered with the mixture of clay, horse manure and goat hair, using a brush in order to get the imprint of all the decorations. These layers become thicker and thicker and form a covering around the fake bell.
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- The head or CROWN of the bell A wax model is covered in clay. This element is then heated in a kiln to 100°, so that the wax melts and leaves its imprint. This is a technique called " lost wax ". The obtained mold is then put on the bell mold. |
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- OPENING THE MOLD The parts of the mold are constructed. By increased heating of the mold, the decoration wax melts and leaves an imprint inside the covering. The covering is then lifted in order to break the " fake bell ". By putting back the covering, an empty space is obtained in which molten metal is poured. |
| - POURING the bell Bell bronze is an alloy of 78% copper and 22% bronze. It is melted at 1200 °C. For bells weighing less than 500 kg, the metal is melted in a crucible furnace. A pocket of molten metal is handled by a worker or using a pulley in order to get the bronze from the furnace and pour it in the mold. For bells weighing more than 500 kg, molds are built and buried in pits. A brick canal built above the pit will allow the molten metal to be poured using gravity, from the furnace to the molds.
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