 | | Lot No. | | *** | | Description: | Winks & Hall Card Table c.1885 This exceptional card or games table is attributed to the substantial cabinetmaking firm Winks & Hall who commenced trade c.1863 and continued through to the 1930's in their Shortland Street premises. Extensive use is made of burr totara, figured puriri and rewarewa. The top of the table folds open and rotates to provide a baize-lined playing surface. As the top rotates a storage compartment for cards is revealed. The overall design of the table has lost the full exuberance of the mid-Victorian period and the elements of what is to become Edwardian design are now becoming apparent. Width 82 cm Height 76 cm Ref: Furniture of the New Zealand Colonial Era, p 256. Card Tables by Anton and William Seuffert These two card tables represent fine examples of Victorian colonial inlay from New Zealand's premier cabinetmaking workshop. Anton and William Seuffert are recognised as New Zealand's most skilled and famous marquetry and parquetry artists. Starting from Anton's arrival in Auckland in 1859 through to William's death in 1943 this family dynasty created a body of work that remains unrivalled in New Zealand. As with all Seuffert works, the technical accuracy of the inlay in these two table tops is superb and the use of New Zealand native timbers is both varied and tasteful. Mottled kauri, burr totara, rewarewa, beech, kohekohe, maire, rimu, puriri and akeake are some of the species the Seufferts used. Card tables were a Seuffert speciality and in 1886 were available from their workshop for £11. While too small for card games, the Seufferts probably named them for their use as business or postal cards depositories. Tables of this size are also referred to as side, occasional, wine or specimen tables; the latter from the profusion of specimen timbers used in the parquetry. Many tops were sold for export as souvenirs and shipped without bases to reduce cost. Both tables in this auction have been fitted with bases from other manufacturers. For further information refer The Seuffert Legacy, Brian Peet, 2008 | | Estimate: | *** | | Price: | *** | | Category: | Furniture — Tables - Small | |
