A Victorian marquetry and cedar table New Zealand, late 19th century, by A. Seuffert of Auckland

the circular moulded top profusely inlaid with specimen native hardwoods and including fern and foliate motifs, the underside of the base with a paper label printed 'A. Seuffert / Cabinet Maker / To His Royal Highness / The Duke of Edinburgh / 5 Elliot Street / Auckland / New Zealand'

In superb condition with only minor marks from age and use.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Anton Seuffert was born in Bohemia in 1814 or 1815 and later joined his father in the Vienna firm of cabinetmakers Carl Leistler.  Seuffert Snr and Jnr organised the firm's stand at the Great Exhibition in London in 1851, their most notable piece of furniture being the spectacular Gothic revival cabinet presented by Emperor Franz Joseph I to Queen Victoria, now in the Victoria and Albert Museum. Anton Seuffert emigrated to Auckland in 1859 and quickly established premises under his own name, specialising in high quality marquetry productions.  He exhibited a pictorial marquetry secretaire consisting of 30,000 pieces of  New Zealand timbers at the South Kensington International Exhibition of 1862. The secretaire was later acquired by the citizens of Auckland for 300 guineas and presented as a gift to Queen Victoria. It is still in the Royal Collection.  Seuffert received further patronage from the Duke of Edinburgh in 1869. He also changed the spelling his name from Seufert to Seuffert in 1869. The label on the present lot and the reference to the Duke of Edinburgh indicate that the present table was made after 1869. He died in 1887.

For comparison, a table of very similar form to the present lot is illustrated in Brian Peet, The Seuffert Legacy, New Zealand Colonial Master Craftsmen, The Craft of Anton Seuffert & his sons William, Albert & Carl, Auckland, 2008, p.114. Peet suggests that the column on this table which is very similar to the one on the present lot , was carved by Anton Teutenberg who is recorded as having executed carvings on other Seuffert pieces. He arrived seven years after the Seuffert family and so any work attribued to him would be post 1866 which would be the case in the present instance.