A New Zealand 19th century indigenous specimen wood parquetry occasional table by Anton Seuffert (1815-1887)

Circa 1870, the circular top inlaid with overlapping geometric stars within a lozenge basket weave inlaid surround, with a reverse ogee moulded edge, on a lotus-leaf wrapped baluster turned column, the circular stylised leaf-inlaid base terminating in three scrolled feet, the various timbers probably including: kauri, puriri rim, tawa, burr totara and kihekohe, with a printed paper label which reads: 'A. SEUFERT, CABINET MAKER, AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND, diameter of the top: 58.5cm; 74.5cm high.

The present lot is a fine example of the output of Anton Seuffert (1815-1887), who was most celebrated for producing specimen wood parquetry tables of this type. Despite having been born in Bohemia, Seuffert re-located to Auckland, New Zealand in 1859, where he established himself as one of the pre-eminent Australasian cabinet makers of the 19th century.

In New Zealand Seuffert also became famous for his ingenious incorporation of indigenous timbers and this can be seen to full effect on the offered table. Perhaps the most renowned piece of furniture he executed is a marquetry secretaire, now in the Royal Collection, which is comprised of 30,000 native woods. This secretaire was first exhibited at the 1862 South Kensington International Exhibition, see J. Marsden and R. Thompson, A New Zealand Masterpiece: A Marquetry Secretaire by Anton Seuffert, Furniture History, Vol. XLII, 2006, p.183.

'Card tables' with distinctive inlaid patterns, such as the present model, are the most instantly recognisable and representative works made by the Seuffert workshop. The original purpose was evidently for visitors to leave their business or postal cards on when entering or leaving their respective owner's property. Various exact replicas do exist whilst a table with a similarly designed parquetry top to that of the offered lot appears illustrated in B. Peet, The Seuffert Legacy, 2008, Auckland, p. 114.

Comparables include another labelled version sold Sotheby's, London, 6 December 2011, lot 145 and more recently an example sold Christie's, London, 19 March 2020, Chieveley House, Berkshire and Five Private Collections, lot 232.