Table, with marquetry work top.

item details

NameTable, with marquetry work top.

ProductionWilliam Seuffert; attributed; circa 1880; New Zealand

Classificationtables

Materialswood, rimu (wood), pūriri (wood), mānuka (wood), tōtara (wood), rewarewa (wood)

Techniquesmarquetry

DimensionsOverall: 603mm (width), 678mm (height), 603mm (depth), 603mm (diameter)

Registration NumberGH021400

Credit linePurchased 2011

Overview

A wine or card table, circular marquetry work top on a pedestal base.

The very fine marquetry work in a variety of indigenous New Zealand timbers depicts a scene closely based on John Gilfillan's well-known painting "Interior of a Maori Pa". The central marquetry scene is framed by overlapping inlay depicting birds, ferns & flora. The scene is flanked on the right side by a double omega sign interlaced with a capital 'A' and on the left side with a capital 'V' interlaced with a capital 'S'.

The supporting pillar and tripod base is in a Georgian style and appears to be of European [?English] origin.

This table is likely to be the work of William Seuffert, and is a very superior example of his fine marquetry work. Brian Peet, in his detailed study "The Seuffert Legacy: New Zealand Colonial Master Craftsmen" states [p 121] that this table "is the most detailed and stunning of all Seuffert tables."