<p>
	During the 18th C the Parisian Guild &quot;Corporation de Meunuiserie&quot; imposed a strict training scheme over several years ending with the apprentice making of a miniature piece of furniture&nbsp; to prove his talent -&nbsp; the &quot;meuble de maitrise&quot; .&nbsp; Although the guilds were abolished during the French Revolution many apprentice furniture-makers continued to make this miniature during the 19th C, a tradition which continues today with the Compagnons du Tour de France.</p>