Footnotes

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.

Closely related Seuffert tables which have sold at auction include: one sold Bonhams, London, 19 March 2008, Fine English Furniture, lot 174; a comparable with interesting provenance sold Christie's, London, 19 March 2020, Chieveley House, Berkshire and Five Private Collections, lot 232; whilst a further example with an almost identical maker's label to that on the present version sold Bonhams, London, 4 August 2021, Home and Interiors, lot 141.