INLAYING.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 249, 26 October 1870, Page 2

INLAYING.

One of the most interesting curiosities, and decidedly the most elegawt piece of furniture that we have seen in Auckland^ is at present to be seen at Mr,. Upton's, in Queen-street. It may be generally, described as an inlaid ta^e and cabinet, but the expression will conTey hut a flint idea ofthe exquisit workmanship exhibited. It is made by. Mr. Seufert of Elliott-street, the maker.of the beautiful escritoire formerly presented to Bishop Selwyn, and ,'of.ithe: gilt to Archdeacon. Lldyd ; but neither of these two .articles is comparable to the present work in elaboration of detail and exquisite finish. It-is wholly composed of New, [Zealand woodsii; minute^subdivision^ oJnd though the whole effect is "strike ing and beautiful in the extreme^ it bears the most minute examiha4 tion. The..woods, comprise totara, puriri, kahikatea, rewarewa, ximu, rata, kohuhutu, and many ethers, while the contiastiug and blending of the varied' tints are carried out with a rare exhibitioh'of taste and skill. On the table; "which is entirely "inlaid, We" cabinet is built, consisting of a.ceutral piece .and two wings, surmounted] by some tasteful carving, representing a 'tatooad Maori i visage, sur - rounded by jNe\r Zealand ferns and leaves ; this portion of tlie work being frpni'the hands of Mr. Teutenberg. The door, .'-which forms the centre-piece, bears\a chaste and beautiful picture, representing a ' gigantic .Imoa, fern tree, and other elerneists of New ; Zealand scenery. The compartment -within', bjr an arrangement of. oblique mirrors, conveys a pretty optical illusion, impressing with the idea of distance in a very singular way. The | doors :O.f the wings, prettily : inlaid, being I opened, exhibit a series of drawers, the gi'adui aleci tints of which "are very tasteful. Altogether the work exhibits to a degree we have not hitherto seen tlia capabilities of our'native i woods, and the exquisite skill of our home I manufacturers. It is made to'the order of Captain Burton, who-tales it with him to England, where it may be proudly exhibited as one of our handsomest mementoes. - We recommend a visit to Mr. Upton's shop, where the work will be on exhibition for five bi'^six days.