François Xavier Bazin
François-Xavier Bazin (10 May 1824 – 1 August 1865) was an important French archetier and master bow maker, and was first of the Bazin dynasty. Bazin was born in Mirecourt to Joseph Eustache Bazin (1785-1863), judiciary clerk, and Marguerite Laurent. Notable experts suggest that he was influenced and purportedly studied with Dominique Peccatte and Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume in Paris, then established himself in Mirecourt around 1840. He was brother of Charles-Nicolas Bazin I, and father of Charles Nicolas Bazin II. On 25 August 1845 he married Jeanne Hélène Maucotel, an embroiderer. They had six children, including Charles Nicolas Bazin, the bow maker. A catalogue of Louis Bazin & Son mentions him "Manufacture d'Archets de violons - Maison fondée en 1840". As the first prominent Bazin bow makers, he fuelled the social rise of the family. He invested in real estate, including the 'Hauts de Chaumont' vineyard. Bazin taught bow making to his son Charles Nicolas Bazin. He died at the age of 41, apparently of cholera. François-Xavier made only a small number of bows, but this was sufficient to establish the family’s reputation. He made excellent bows in Peccatte style. His bows are rare. Bazin was a master bow maker, who