Bazin Family / Bazin Dynasty.

Highly esteemed family of bowmakers operating in Mirecourt, France, from around 1840 through most of the 1900s (members of the Bazin family) produced bows in Mirecourt. The bow making dynasty began with Francois Bazin and ended with Charles Alfred Bazin (1907 - 1987).

With the onset of "Industrial Revolution", came the idea of the giant enterprise that dominated the industry until the 1960s, such as Jerome Thibouville-Lamy and Laberte-Magnie (in the musical instruments trade). Fortunately the smaller workshop never died, and in the hands of exceptional businessmen such as Charles Nicolas Bazin and his colleague Eugene Cuniot-Hury could prove exceptional.

The Bazins found ways of increasing production, while maintaining quality. They assembled an outstanding shop, where they not only apprenticed and employed talented bow makers, but also served as public and civic leaders in Mirecourt.

Francois Xavier Bazin- (b. Mirecourt 1824 - d. Mirecourt 1865) - was a French Archetier / Bow maker and was first of the Bazin dynasty. Notable experts suggest that he was influenced and purportedly studied with Dominique Peccatte in Paris, then established himself in Mirecourt around 1840. He was brother of Charles-Nicolas Bazin I. Charles-Nicolas Bazin I, (1831 - 1908) brother of Francois Xavier Bazin.

Charles Louis Bazin (Louis Bazin) fils (1881 - 1953) son, pupil and successor (in 1907) of Charles-Nicolas Bazin II. He started making bows from the age of 12, served his apprenticeship with his father. He took over the family workshop in 1907 where his father continued to work with him until his death in 1915. In 1922, Charles Alfred BAZIN, one of Charles Louis BAZIN’s two sons, started his apprenticeship and worked alongside his father until 1945. Charles Louis BAZIN retired in 1952, his son Charles Alfred BAZIN took over his workshop. Louis Bazin is considered the most important of the Bazin family, and has achieved the highest standard and renown in his craft.

During the 20th century Louis Bazin’s bows were widely acclaimed by French virtuosi. ”No better bows made by any contemporary maker.”