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Birth : 1821 in Mirecourt (Vosges) Death : 1874 in Bruxelles (Belgique)

Biography

Charles Claude Francois DARCHE was born in MIRECOURT in 1821.  

His father, Nicolas Francois DARCHE appeared in the census as a winegrower and a violin maker. He was married three times, his second wife being Francoise Vuillaume, sister of Claude Francois Vuillaume, who was the father of Nicolas and Jean-Baptiste VUILLAUME. From his father’s third marriage to Agathe ETIENNE, Charles Claude Francois was born.
Charles’ brothers Nicolas and Jacque-Joseph also became violin makers.

Like his brothers, Charles first trained in MIRECOURT with Augustin CHEVRIER, before joining his cousin Nicolas, François VUILLAUME, in Brussels, where he became his collaborator.
He set up his own workshop in 1845, before taking over Jean Dominique BASTIEN’s in 1847 at 4 rue d’Or in Brussels(part of today’s rue du Marais).
In 1849, he moved into the Galeries Saint Hubert at 4 passage des Princes, which would remain his principal establishment.  
In 1854, he formed a partnership with his brother, Jacques-Joseph DARCHE under the name “DARCHE Freres”. This partnership lasted until the death of his brother in 1867. Charles most likely continued at this workshop until his death in 1874.

Works
Charles DARCHE was renowned as a luthier and a restorer who devoted part of his time to experimentation. Two such violins dated 1854, are preserved in the collections of the Musee des Instruments de Musique in Brussels. (2).
These examples are known as the “chinrest violins”.

Labels and stamp
Labels in French and Latin
Stamp: CCFD
His C.C.F.D. trademark was used after his death by his successors, including his nephew, Auguste, Hilaire DARCHE. (1)

Successor
DARCHE Paul, his son.

Medals and Honnors.
In their Dictionary, Malou Haine and Nicolas Meeùs mention Ch. DARCHE's participation in the London exhibitions of 1851 and 1867, as well as in the Paris exhibition of 1867. It seems to us that a confusion with the “DARCHE” organ and wind instrument makers is at the origin of this mention. (1)

Sources
(1) - Dictionnaire des facteurs d'instruments de musique en Wallonie et à Bruxelles du 9° siècle à nos jours. Malou Haine et Nicolas Meeùs. Pierre Mardaga éditeur- D 1986
(2) Musée des Instruments de Musique de Bruxelles : https://www.mim.be/fr  Lots n° 2804 et 2805

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