Andy,

Thought for certain that if anyone, the Brits would make a ceremony out of
it and we'd be calling them "Sir Master Cabinetmaker"... But I think your
answer is probably the derivative of how the title being used today. The
owner (master) of the shop used the title to distinguish his ranking -
versus being one of those poor apprentices and that over the years, the word
master became associated with "quality craftsmanship" - whether it really is
or not is a different story as you pointed out.

Thanks for the Far Side of the story.....

Bob S

"Andy Dingley" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 10 Nov 2003 20:09:25 GMT, "Bob S." wrote:

Would seem that to be called a master cabinetmaker, there must be some
form
of testing, certification or review by a recognized organization that
confirms your work meets the degree of craftsmanship required to be
considered a master.

Alternatively, a master cabinetmaker was just one who was the master
of their own cabinet shop, employing journeymen and having
apprentices. You needed to qualify in the eyes of your own master to
finish your apprenticeship, but what you did after that was just up to
the depths of your pocket. There wasn't (in many countries, at least)
any formal distinction between journeyman and master, other than their
employment.

In the UK today, you could join "The Guild of Master Craftsmen" who
have an awful reputation as an organisation for cowboy plumbers, with
no real oversight or quality standards.
--
Die Gotterspammerung - Junkmail of the Gods