Bartholdi's workshop in Paris was a bizarre sight, as workers formed the parts that would become the Statue of Liberty.

In this view of Bartholdi's workshop in Paris the arm of the Statue of Liberty holding the tablet is visible, along with a crew of workmen.

The arm is actually made of plaster. The process of construction was that enormous plaster forms were made first, and copper plates were then shaped to match the contours of the plaster version.

All the copper sheets would then be assembled to create the finished statue.