Gong-Making in Central Java

JAVA, Indonesia. They start with a round slab of bronze, about the size of a very large pizza. They hold this with tongs over an open forge until it glows white hot.
Then they begin hammering: three or four guys at a time in rapid rotation, while another guy holds it steady with tongs. They use a narrow metal ram-style hammer for the central dome, and thick sections of tree trunk for the large surface areas. They only get a minute or two before it has to go back in the forge again.

These guys come from smaller villages around Java. They don't get much pay, but they are able to send some back home.

They all had a pride in what they knew how to do. They asked me to take their picture - not so they could have one, but just so someone would have one.

http://stores.ebay.com/myhouse-imports

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Gongs
• Gamelan
• Bells
• Percussion
• Music
• Indonesia
• Java

[myhouseimports]

That is correct.  These guys make to order. Tony