Dolce Violins

Month: October 2022

Georges Apparut – Violin Maker (1877-1948)

Luthier Georges Apparut (1877-1948) apprenticed under his father, Leon, in his Juraincourt workshop. Apparut further honed his skills while working for Paul Blanchard in Lyons and Mougenot in Brussels. His skills were recognized at the Laberte atelier in Mirecourt, where he served as the head of artistic production. In 1925, Apparut took over Victor Joseph …

Georges Apparut – Violin Maker (1877-1948) Read More »

Bernard Ouchard – Bow maker (1925 – 1979)

Bernard Ouchard, regarded as one of France’s preeminent mid-20th century bow makers, followed in the footsteps of his father, Émile Auguste Ouchard, and his grandfather, Émile Francois Ouchard, both famous bow makers. In 1941, Bernard went to Paris, where he learned his craft under the guidance of his father. They worked together until he joined …

Bernard Ouchard – Bow maker (1925 – 1979) Read More »

Louis Morizot Frères – Bow Makers (1937 – 1970)

Louis Joseph Morizot (called Morizot père), and his five sons, (Morizot frères), are reputed to be among the most important French bow makers of the twentieth century. Together, they established one of the most successful ateliers in their hometown of Mirecourt. Louis Morizot père followed in the bow-making footsteps of his grandfather Guillaume Maline (1792-1859). …

Louis Morizot Frères – Bow Makers (1937 – 1970) Read More »

Cabinet d’Archetiers – Experts Jean-François Raffin

Jean-François Raffin (b. 1947) Jean-François Raffin completed his violin-making apprenticeship in Mirecourt before joining Etienne Vatelot’s Parisian workshop. In Paris, Raffin discovered his passion for bow-making and began working for Bernard Millant. He went on to open his own atelier in 1989, although he still collaborated with his mentor. Together, Raffin and Millant authored L’archet, …

Cabinet d’Archetiers – Experts Jean-François Raffin Read More »

The History of German Bow Making in Markneukirchen

Nestled on the border of Saxony and Bohemia (modern-day Czech republic), Markneukirchen was already a thriving violin-making center by the 18th century. Its remarkable output gave the region its nickname: the “Musikwinkel,” or music corner. What set Markneukirchen apart was a commitment to international commerce and a well-established luthiers’ guild, dating back to 1677, that …

The History of German Bow Making in Markneukirchen Read More »