Table Rare Anton Seuffert New Zealand Specimen Wood Marquetry C1869

Here we have a very rare specimen wood table by Anton Seuffert Auckland New Zealand c1869. As you can see the table has outstanding colour and patina. Anton Suefert or Seuffert as he was later know was a master of marquetry and this can be seen in this table. The table was commissioned by the DeBeer family in around 1869 with the base being made by Howards and sons of Berners Street London. The remnants of the Howard and Sons label can be seen under the bottom tier. The top is stamped underneath with the Suefert mark. It is easy to date the table which has always been with the base to c1869 as this is when Seufert changed his name to Seuffert. Please see the biography below. There are twenty four different woods just in the cross banded edge and many more in the central geometric pattern not including the micro mosaic area to the outside of the star shape. A super rare table from possibly on of the best makers ever. The dimensions are approx 64 cm high 61 cm wide 61 cm deep.

Anton Seuffert, known before 1869 as Anton Seufert, and sometimes mistakenly referred to as Antoine Siefert, was born in Bohemia probably in 1814 or 1815, the son of Anton Seufert and his wife, Anna Bower or Bauer. Anton Seufert senior was a 'worker in wood', and having inherited this skill, his son became a foreman in the firm of Leistler and Sons of Vienna. At the time of the Great Exhibition of 1851, Seuffert was sent to London to assemble furniture for four suites of rooms. Some of this furniture was later presented to Queen Victoria as a gift from the Emperor of Austria.

Probably in 1855 or 1856 Seuffert married Anna Piltz, a woman of Austrian birth, in London. Two children were born to the couple in London, and four others after their arrival in 1858 or 1859 in Auckland, New Zealand. Seuffert soon became well known for his craft, and was commissioned to construct items of furniture for people of note visiting Auckland. He worked and lived mainly in leased premises in Wellesley and Elliott streets. In 1861 he became a naturalised New Zealander and he spent the rest of his life in Auckland.

Judging from his work, Seuffert must have made detailed studies of native woods with their various and interesting textures, as he used them to complement his intricate designs. It is thought he may have had contact with Johann Levien, an expert on New Zealand woods and their uses, before coming to New Zealand. He must also have become familiar with the flora and fauna of New Zealand, and Maori designs and carving, which were all features of his work.

During 1861 and 1862 Seuffert made an important piece of furniture, which brought him much praise, and placed him in the first rank of New Zealand cabinet-makers. It was a writing cabinet, inlaid with New Zealand woods, 'consisting of 30,000 pieces, valued at 300 guineas, which was purchased and presented by the citizens of Auckland to her Majesty the Queen.' This article of furniture is still in use in Buckingham Palace, London.

Seuffert was cabinet-maker to Governor George Grey during 1862 and 1863. Four beautiful inlaid panels, all bearing the Grey coat of arms, were produced for the library at Mansion House, Grey's residence on Kawau Island. They were later made into tables and are still in existence today in private collections.

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