 | | Lot No. | | *** | | Description: | A Superb Anton Seuffert Card Table of Nz timbers. This card table from Anton Seuffert's workshop is a very fine, complete example with original base of this type by Nz premier colonial cabinetmaker. Card tables were a Seuffert speciality and his 1875 raffle advertisement in the Auckland Herald valued card tables of this design at 10 pounds. Fifteen years later inflation raised the price to 11 pounds. These tables were too small for card games, so were probably named by Seuffert for their use as business or postal cards depositories. In more recent times they have also been referred to as side, occasional, wine or specimen tables, the latter because of the profusion of specimen timbers used in the parquetry. Note that this table has not been sold by us before. There are small differences in pattern compared with previous similar examples. Parquetry and marquetry inlaid furniture was extremely popular during the Victorian era and many immigrant cabinetmakers continued their craft after settling in Nz. Anton Seuffert is now recognized as the greatest of these cabinetmakers. His ability to combine significant artistic flair with considerable manual dexterity resulted in works of art of unique visual balance and technical accuracy. The professional consistency he brought to this craft can be observed from the smallest, least significant piece, right through to the largest most complex escritoire. Anton Seuffert was born in Bohemia in 1815 and followed his father into the woodworking industry, working for Leistler and Sons in Vienna, cabinetmakers to many European royal households. Anton migrated to Nz in 1859 with his wife and two children, settled in central Auckland, raised five more children and trained his sons William, Albert and Carl in his craft. Seuffert's most important work was an escritoire presented to Queen Victoria in 1862 by the citizens of Auckland in recognition of her support to the fledgling settlement. This cabinet is now in the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace. The table offered for sale in this auction is an important piece for several reasons: Of the seventeen Seuffert wine tabletops discovered to date, only seven are complete with original bases. The carved stem and inlaid circular base seen on this table was a signature of Anton's work. Many tops were sold separately as it was easier for the purchaser to carry or ship the top home and have a base manufactured at a later point. Many tables, by the very nature of their function, have suffered from the ravages of sun damage and wear. Possibly as a result of ownership in England, this table has remained in very good condition. The presence of a yellow Anton Seuffert Royal Appointment label on the underside of the top is a nice accompaniment. Depth 60 cm, Height 73 cm | | Estimate: | *** | | Price: | *** | | Category: | Furniture — Tables - Small | |
