342 - French-style spiral staircase,

French-style spiral staircase, made of walnut, with a double Louis XV-style balustrade, twisted balusters carved and turned from solid wood, and a molded handrail, resting on a circular, chamfered base. Paris, 1867. H. 45 x D. 32 cm. Included is the patinated bronze medal awarded to journeyman Hervé Baillet on the occasion of the 1867 World’s Fair. D. 5.2 cm. Provenance Henri Klinger Collection. History After several years of apprenticeship or training with a master craftsman, the future journeyman would undertake a Tour de France, during which he could acquire new technical skills and gain professional experience. This Tour typically culminated in the creation of a masterpiece that had to be approved by a jury. Once accepted, the young aspirant was established and recognized in his profession and earned the title of Compagnon du Tour de France. The master staircases and other masterpieces presented in this section stem from this tradition, and their wide variety allows visitors to appreciate the exceptional quality of craftsmanship and presentation in these works.