the lab​​​

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We are Mumi & Ale, we are based in Milan and we've been making handpans for 10 years.

We love to do it with our hands, step by step.

The whole artisanal process to create an Elaia handpan takes several weeks: the notes acquire their presence and coherence from the hammer to the oven. We work over and over again to make sure we refine tuning, timber and consistency.

 

In our lab you will not find lasers, robots, or rows of mass produced instruments. In our lab you’ll find what we call Artisanal Intelligence. We’re proud to say that over the last 10 years, our tools and equipment haven’t changed much.

What has changed—what has evolved—are our hands on the hammer and  our eyes and soul on the metal. Through sweat, the occasional tear (and sometimes even blood), and happy mistakes, we’ve refined the very skills that define us. Human skills.

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​Our inspiration is our own name: Elaia means “olive” in ancient greek.The olive tree, because of its own magnificent features, is a symbol of tenaciousness, wisdom, strength. Even more so, it is the symbol of union, peace and harmony.

We do love plants, in the lab we have many many of them and they keep us good company while we shape, tune or grind the steel. Sometimes we think of our instruments like seeds that will grow in many hands all over the world.​​​​

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