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The 'Burton Cabinet' in New Zealand Native Timbers by Anton…
Sale Title:
Auction House:
Auction Location:
Auckland
Date:
19-Apr-2010
Lot No.
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Description:
The 'Burton Cabinet' in New Zealand Native Timbers by Anton Seuffert 1870. 'One of the most interesting curiosities, and decidedly the most elegant piece of furniture that we have seen in Auckland, is at present to be seen at Mr Upton's, in Queen-street. It may be generally described as an inlaid table and cabinet, but the expression will convey but a faint idea of the exquisite workmanship exhibited. It is made by Mr Seuffert of Elliot-street, the maker of the beautiful escritoire formerly presented to Bishop Selwyn, and of the gift to Archdeacon Lloyd, but neither of these two articles is comparable to the present work in elaboration of detail and exquisite finish. It is wholly composed of New Zealand woods in minute subdivision, and though the whole effect is striking and beautiful in the extreme, it bears the most minute examination. The woods comprise totara, puriri, kahikatea, rewarewa, rimu, rata, kohuhutu, and many others, while the contrasting and blending of the varied tints are carried out with rare exhibition of taste and skill. On the table which is entirely inlaid, the cabinet is built, consisting of a central piece and two wings, surmounted by some tasteful carving, representing a tattooed Maori visage, surrounded by New Zealand ferns and leaves; this portion of the work being from the hands of Mr Teutenberg. The door which forms the centre-piece, bears a chaste and beautiful picture, representing a gigantic moa, fern tree, and other elements of New Zealand scenery. The compartment within by an arrangement of oblique mirrors, conveys a pretty optical illusion - impressing with the idea of distance in a very singular way. The doors of the wings, prettily inlaid, being opened, exhibit a series of drawers, the graduated tints of which are very tasteful. Altogether the work exhibits to a degree we have not hitherto seen the capabilities of our native woods, and the exquisite skill of our home manufacturers. It is made to the order of Captain Burton, who takes it with him to England, where it may be proudly exhibited as one of our handsomest mementoes'. This newspaper article discovered during restoration in the 1980s conveys the importance and beauty of this piece as appreciated shortly after it was completed. The Captain Burton for whom this cabinet was made was Captain Henry Burton who served in New Zealand with the 40th Regiment of Foot, which was in the country between 1860 and 1866. At one period he was chief of staff and was the officer in charge of the party of soldiers who erected the first telegraph line in New Zealand. He returned to England, gained his promotion to Colonel and after retiring from the army he returned to New Zealand for several years, taking up residence at Takapuna. He was chairman of directors of several mining and commercial companies and was also responsible for the movement to raise a fund that resulted in the erection in Albert Park of the statue to Queen Victoria. He later returned to England where he died at the age of 75 years. *'The Seuffert Legacy' by Brian Peet Pgs. 80-83. Of note is the presence of the Royal Appointment label that feature on post 1869 items. The coat of arms present inside the door of the cabinet and reference to it in the 1870 Weekly News report, makes the provenance of this cabinet beyond question. This is one of only four Louis XV escritoires that have a clearly established provenance. Provenance: Extract from a letter Depth 27 Nov. 1987 from Mrs. M.I. Gibson (England) - 'Christies passed your letter on to me about my desk which you bought at their auction in London on the 29th October. I am so glad it has gone home to New Zealand where it was made. I sent details about it into Christies which I hope you received as I do not have copies. It gave the date it was made for my Great Uncle. He was stationed in New Zealand at the time and the owl crest inside the door is his. He was my grandmother's brother. His name was Colonel Harry Burton and he married a New
Estimate:
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Price:
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Category:
Unclassified