John Taylor & Co
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John Taylor Bell Foundry (Loughborough) Limited, trading as John Taylor & Co and commonly known as Taylor's Bell Foundry, Taylor's of Loughborough, or simply Taylor's, is the world's largest working bell foundry. It is located in Loughborough, in the Charnwood borough of Leicestershire, England. The business originated in the 14th century, and the Taylor family took over in 1784.
The foundry premises in Freehold Street, Loughborough
Inside the belfry of St Stephen's Church, Bristol, England. In 1970, Taylor's cast five of the twelve bells and a new frame, in which they re-hung all twelve.
Image: All Saints' Church, Westbury
Image: Beverley Minster IMG 7786 panoramio
Bellfounding
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Bellfounding is the casting and tuning of large bronze bells in a foundry for use such as in churches, clock towers and public buildings, either to signify the time or an event, or as a musical carillon or chime. Large bells are made by casting bell metal in moulds designed for their intended musical pitches. Further fine tuning is then performed using a lathe to shave metal from the bell to produce a distinctive bell tone by sounding the correct musical harmonics.
Bianzhong of Marquis Yi of Zeng, dated 433 BCE
Cast Bells Whitechapel Bell Foundry, ca. 1880, State Library of New South Wales
Church Bells in the workshop at Whitechapel Bell Foundry, c. 1880