A profession that has become rare throughout the world, bell founders are true blacksmiths, transforming bronze into authentic bells.
![Métier rare : L'un des septs fondeur de cloches - Hugues PERRIN [INSPIRE #9]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/OiaYdG3ioCA/maxresdefault.webp)
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We speak of
Mountain blacksmithEpisode 9
Hugues Perrin
Inspire by Les Portes du Soleil
A story of men, a rare know-how, shrouded in mystery and rooted in a territory. After watching this video, who’s going to complain about the ringing of bells?
The INSPIRED
Hugues Perrin
the portrait
Bringing Champéry’s local heritage back to life. It all began in the 1980s, when fascinated by the history of his village, Hugues set out with his father to find old bell molds that had disappeared from Champéry.
The manufacture of these molds had notably made the reputation of another Perrin in the 1870s, and since that time, these unique pieces had been passed from hand to hand, used by other craftsmen.
Father and son then traced the thread of generations, and finally, thanks to the memory of the elders, found the last owner. The latter gives them the precious treasure in the hope of seeing the foundry tradition renewed with them. Back in the village, driven by curiosity and the desire to revive this old champérolaine tradition, Hugues and his father set out without hesitation to learn the traditional art of bell casting.
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Although the spectacle is always magical, there’s much more to the foundryman’s role than simply casting molten bronze into the shape of bells.
First, before raising the burning metal in his crucible furnace to a very high temperature (1,200°C), the foundryman will have spent long hours crafting the structural elements of his mold, using tools and natural materials mainly derived from the earth (sand, clay…).
Then, after pouring the copper and tin alloy into the imprint of his future bell in just a few minutes, the foundryman will have spent long hours crafting the structural elements of his mold, using tools and natural materials mainly derived from the earth (sand, clay…).
Then, after pouring the copper and tin alloy into the imprint of his future bell in just a few minutes, the caster will proceed, once the bronze has cooled and been removed from the mould, to sandblast and polish the object to give it its full aesthetic and acoustic appearance.
Bells, the symbol of mountain pastures. Their distinctive tinkling echoes throughout the summer in the natural meadows of the mountains, enhancing country walks and hikes. Historically made to enable herders to locate their grazing animals by sound, and to scare off any predators, they have also become a traditional symbol of mountain farming. Honored at traditional festivals, they are of great sentimental value to farming families, who proudly hand them down from generation to generation.
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The birth of authentic pieces
The family workshop
in Champéry
A singular, authentic and mysterious art, which has since become for them, a true craft-passion.
Today, it’s Hugues who holds the reins of the family workshop located in the heart of the village. The only bell founder in the Valais, he perpetuates an authentic savoir-faire that today is the preserve of only a small handful of experienced craftsmen in Switzerland.
In his workshop nestled on the edge of the Portes du Soleil, protected by the Dents du Midi, he naturally composes with the elements of the Earth to create his bronze bells. With his vintage tools and old molds weathered by time, he tirelessly repeats the gestures of yesteryear to give birth to authentic pieces steeped in history.
The last word.
Bell foundry: Hugues Perrin is not about to let his trade and art fade into oblivion.
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