 | | Lot No. | | *** | | Description: | A New Zealand Timbers Card Table by Anton Seuffert This card table from Anton Seuffert's workshop is a fine example of the type by NZ's premier colonial cabinetmaker. Card tables were a Seuffert speciality and his 1875 advertisements in the Auckland Herald quoted these tables at 10 pounds. Fifteen years later inflation raised the price to 11 pounds. While too small for card games, Seuffert 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 because of the profusion of specimen timers used in the parquetry. Parquetry and marquetry inlaid furniture was extremely popular during the Victorian era and many immigrant cabinetmakers continued their craft after settling in New Zealand. 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 his 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 New Zealand 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 features one of Seuffert's most complex parquetry designs. The repeat geometric pattern comprises thousands of native New Zealand timber specimens arranged in a radial pattern with intertwining segments matching perfectly. The top is in extremely good condition with little sign of sun damage so evident in many pieces of early colonial furniture. Anton and William Seuffert sold many of these card tabletops without bases, as it was easier for the purchaser to carry or ship home and have a base manufactured at a later point. This top has had a base made by Gh Linley, a Wellington cabinetmaker. Linley's indented stamp is evident in the underside of the pedestal's top structure. Height 73 cm | | Estimate: | *** | | Price: | *** | | Category: | Furniture — Tables - Small | |
