Emanuele Allanconi

Bellfounder

Pietro Lucerni©Michelangelo Foundation

The sound of memories

Emanuele can take up to six months to make a bell
He also makes the wax patterns for decorations
He uses the lost wax technique to cast his bells

Emanuele Allanconi took over his maternal grandfather's workshop, which he opened in Bolzone in 1960. For 20 years, Emanuele has been carrying on the family tradition with an infectious enthusiasm and drive. For him, bells are a whole universe of their own: a musical instrument, sacred art objects and in the past they warned about incumbent dangers. Little has changed in the technique over the centuries, with each step requiring Emanuele's concentration and precision. The lost wax casting process follows the meticulous creation of clay moulds where wax is poured, placed in a ceramic shell and then liquid bronze replaces the way; cooling takes days, after which the bells are finished by chiseling and hand polishing.

Interview

Pietro Lucerni©Michelangelo Foundation

Pietro Lucerni©Michelangelo Foundation

Did you always want to follow the family tradition?: Indeed, I could not bear the idea of not carrying on the family tradition and expertise. Each bell is different and each bell maker has his secrets. This is a craft you will not learn in books, but through working side by side with masters, in my case with my grandfather and uncles.
What is a bell for you?: Each bell is one-of-a-kind, its sound is mesmerising. A bell has different souls, you can tell from the sound how it was made and to make it you need to know about music and sculpture, it is a multifaceted craft.
What is a memorable moment in your career?: In 2018, one year after the earthquake in Umbria we gathered in Norcia for a festival. Bells had been ringing all day long, breaking the silence and bringing joy. A young girl approached us, asking not to stop as that sound reminded her of life before the tragic event.
How is your craft linked to your homeland?: Ours was a land of bell makers, now we are the only ones left. Besides bronze, other raw materials we use are local: clay mixed with horsehair and hemp to avoid mould creasing, wax, wood, ash, bricks, and milk (to create a mix used to separate the different moulds).

Emanuele Allanconi is an expert artisan: she began her career in 1998