Model of a curved double staircase reaching a landing and continuing up as a single stair; steps and risers inlaid in contrasting wood to emulate carpet; busts of Francois-Marie Arouet, called Voltaire (1694-1778), and Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) made of Sèvres biscuit porcelain on newel posts at top.

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Object Timeline

-0001	We photographed this object.
2006	We photographed this object. We exhibited this object.
2007	We acquired this object.
2013	This was an Object of the Day.
2015	We photographed this object. We photographed this object.
2016	We photographed this object. We photographed this object.
2020	You found it!

Staircase Model (France), early 19th century

This is a Staircase model. It is dated early 19th century and we acquired it in 2007. Its medium is mahogany, ebony, pear or sycamore, oak; biscuit porcelain. It is a part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts department.

This double revolution staircase is unmistakably a masterwork, confirmed by details such as the carefully turned, ebony balusters and the sophisticated veneering used to create an inlaid “carpet.” A hint of revolutionary politics is introduced through a juxtaposition of Sèvres biscuit porcelain busts of the French philosophers Voltaire (left) and Jean-Jacques Rousseau (right).

This object was featured in our Object of the Week series in a post titled An Enlightened Staircase.

This object was donated by Eugene V. Thaw. It is credited Gift of Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw.

Model, Earth Pressure Balance (EPB) Shield Tunneling Machine ("Big Bertha"),...
plastic, steel.
Courtesy of Hitachi Zosen Corporation.
12.2013.1

Scale model of stage set for "El Camino Real," a play by Tennessee Williams for the Repertory Theater of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, New York City, 1969.

El Camino Real Model, 1969
wood, metal, paint.
Gift of Peter Wexler.
1971-5-1

Red chair with straight legs; back filled with a large disk supported by square frame. Seat, lightly cushioned, upholstered in green.

Boullée Chair Model, 1991
painted wood, felt, cardboard.
Gift of David McCorkle and Ernest Hood.
2010-12-23

Our curators have highlighted 9 objects that are related to this one. Here are three of them, selected at random:

Silver teapot engraved with a foliate and spiral patterned band at the shoulder, above a tapering reeded base; curved spout; curved wooden handle; slightly domed lid with wooden finial of smooth acorn shape topped with silver terminus, its base with silver leaf form surround.

Teapot (England), 1798–99
silver, caved wood.
Gift of Anonymous Donor.
1952-166-98

Benjamin Franklin Bust
unglazed porcelain (bisque).
1926-22-447-a,b

Rectilinear wood and glass form; back and right side of dark walnut; 3-drawer unit of light wood on left, each drawer with a long horizontal dark wood handle; planar, "floating" glass top set into back and right side, attached to top of drawer unit by a cylindrical metal post at front left corner.

Model 3626 Vanity, designed 1936, manufactured ca. 1944
walnut, white acer, glass, metal.
Gift of Jack R. Stokvis and Robert E. Stokvis.
2011-52-1-a,b

Its dimensions are

H x W x D: 68 x 48.3 x 41 cm (26 3/4 in. x 19 in. x 16 1/8 in.)

Cite this object as

Staircase Model (France), early 19th century; mahogany, ebony, pear or sycamore, oak; biscuit porcelain; H x W x D: 68 x 48.3 x 41 cm (26 3/4 in. x 19 in. x 16 1/8 in.); Gift of Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw; 2007-45-12

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Made to Scale: Staircase Masterpieces—The Eugene & Clare Thaw Gift.

Short URL http://cprhw.tt/o/2DRTK/
Accession Number 2007-45-12
Object ID 18703477