The Tu bow making dynasty stretched over five generatio, from the 1800s to the early 20th century, and was based in London. Thomas Tu, the first of the family whose bows can be identified, was active during the early 19th century and his son, William, continued the craft, probably receiving training from Edward Dodd as well as his father. No fewer than seven of William\'s children entered the bow making profeion, the most talented and prolific of whom was James, the eldest. James\'s brothers Edward and John both moved to New York in the late 19th century. The last of the Tu bow makers was James\'s son Alfred, whose early death in 1911 brought the line to a close.
The first of this family of Mirecourt bow makers was Louis Joseph, who probably trained with Francois Bazin. He also worked for F.N. Voirin in Paris until opening his own shop in 1891. His work is highly influenced by Voirin and is stamped \'L. Thomain à Paris\'. A cousin of Louis Joseph, Claude Auguste Thomain learnt his craft under C.N. Bazin. He worked for Gand & Bernardel in Paris, remaining there until 1901, when he set up on his own. His many bows are of excellent quality and branded \'C. Thomain à Paris\'.
Louis Joseph\'s son Victor (known as \'T. Victor\') trained in Mirecourt but established himself in London, where he made English-styled bows branded \'T. Victor\'