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Bronze Bell Obertino Morteau – Haut-Doubs Foundry
€55Bid from €49.50
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ProfessionalProduct description
You only need to hold it and ring it to understand that this bell is not a mere decorative object. It is a genuine piece of French foundry work, originating from Morteau in the Haut-Doubs region, from a company that has perpetuated one of the oldest metal crafts for several generations. The history of the Obertino family is rooted in a tradition of casters originating from Piedmont. For generations, these men practiced their craft itinerantly, traveling to wherever a bell was needed to be cast. The expertise crossed borders, passing notably through Switzerland, before a branch of the family finally settled in Morteau in 1931. Our bell bears the name OBERTINO MORTEAU directly in its material. It dates from the 1960s-1970s, a significant period for the foundry as Jean Obertino brought his sons Gilbert and Émile into the business in 1965, before moving to a new foundry in Morteau in 1967. The bronze work is particularly appealing. Some parts have been polished to reveal the warm, golden tones of the metal, while the central part retains a rougher, almost mineral surface. Small raised patterns punctuate the perimeter, recalling the work from the mold. With its 9 cm diameter and nearly 10 cm height, it has a real presence in hand. Its wide rectangular handle allows for a firm grip, and its original clapper is still in place. Its tone is clear and resonant, as one would expect from a true bronze bell. Over more than half a century, the bronze has acquired a beautiful patina, with its nuances, small marks, and the depth that time imparts to the metal. The Obertino company still exists in Morteau and continues to perpetuate this bell-making expertise today. Diameter approximately 9 cm, height approximately 10 cm with the handle.
Additional details:
- Brand: Obertino
- Style: Décoration ancienne
- Period: 1960s-1970s
Specifications
ConditionVery goodColorsGoldMaterialBronze
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About this seller
ProfessionalSaint symphorien des bois, FranceOn Whoppah since August 2026 • 1 sale