343 - MASTERPIECE BY A CARPENTER’S GUILD MEMBER

MASTERPIECE BY A CARPENTER’S GUILD MEMBER A masterful staircase known as a “French-style balanced staircase” with a double right-angle turn, made of walnut, featuring three flights of steps joined at the ends to French-style interior stringers carved with a convex and concave profile, comprising 17 concave and convex steps, with English-style outer stringers supported by two classical pilasters, resting on a square, chamfered base. Castries, 1908. H. 42 x W. 30.5 x D. 30 cm. Included is the gilded bronze medal awarded to journeyman Émile Labassé on the occasion of the 1908 International Exposition in Marseille. Diameter: 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 received 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.