The Ouchard family of Mirecourt can accurately be described as a dynasty. This great family helped shape almost a century of French bow making and spread its influence far across the globe. Through its main characters, Emile Francois, Emile Auguste, Bernard and Jean Claude, we can trace the development of the Ouchard bow making style, from its humble origins in bows produced within a larger firm, to a distinctive model setting an example for generations of bow makers to come. In this article we take a particular look at the double bass bows of the Ouchard family, an often overlooked but intriguing part of the Ouchards rich history.
At the end of the 19th century, the Ouchards were known only within their native Mirecourt as a family of lace makers and lathe workers, although being in such a centre of musical instrument production they would have doubtless been acquainted with the numerous luthiers and bow makers operating in the town. It was in this trade that Emile Francois Ouchard was apprenticed at the age of 13, working with local bow making firm Cuniot-Hury under the guidance of Eug筥 Cuniot. Emile Francois had been born to single mother Adele Marguerite Ouchard on 30 April 1872, and it was perhaps this lack of a father that prompted Adele to seek employment for her son in the bow making business rather than encouraging him to follow her into the traditionally feminine career of lace making. It was here that the young Emile Francois flourished, soon mastering his technique and producing a large number of bows under the Cuniot-Hury name.