Bow Maker
Louis Joseph Morizot 'Père'

Maker Background

Louis Morizot, the nephew of the esteemed bowmaker Nicolas Maline, began his bow-making journey under the guidance of Eugene Cuniot and later C.N. Bazin II. His collaboration with the renowned bow maker Eugène Sartory likely began well before 1919, the year he established his own workshop in the historic town of Mirecourt. By the early 1920s, Louis was joined by his sons, collectively known as Morizot frères, who followed in their father's footsteps.

In 1927, Louis Morizot's exceptional craftsmanship earned him prestigious recognition when he was awarded the first prize at the Exposition Artisanale. This acknowledgment cemented his reputation as a master bowmaker of unparalleled skill and dedication. Despite his sons' decision to venture out and establish their own workshop in 1937, Louis remained committed to his shop, continuing to produce exceptional bows until his passing in 1957.

The Morizot family's legacy resonates throughout the bow-making world, firmly establishing them as one of the most influential family traditions in Mirecourt alongside the Bazins and Ouchards during the first half of the twentieth century. As with these other workshops, Louis Joseph Morizot relied on the assistance of his five sons, later known as Morizot 'frères', to craft a substantial number of high-quality playing bows. These brothers continued to produce large quantities of bows and also took on the responsibility of training capable makers, including Roger François Lotte and Marcel Lapierre, as well as artisans from Paris, such as Jean-Jacques Millant and Bernard Millant.

The Morizot workshop served as a nurturing ground for cultivating the talents of the next generation of bow makers following the Second World War. However, despite its significant contributions to the craft, the workshop faced challenges during another economic downturn in the 1960s. Sadly, these hardships ultimately led to the closure of the workshop in 1970. Nevertheless, the Morizot family's legacy lives on through the exceptional bows they crafted and the artisans they inspired and trained. Louis Morizot not only imparted his extensive knowledge to his five sons but also crafted bows of exceptional quality, renowned for their superb playability, ensuring his enduring legacy in the realm of bow making.