THE TESTIMONAL TO BISHOP SELWYN.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXV, Issue 3820, 16 November 1869, Page 3

THE TESTIMONAL TO BISHOP SELWYN.

Oki of the handsomest ipeoimens of ttolofcitl art Which we hare ever md to opportunity of examining ■#*■ om- view jesterday, at tho *obms of Messrs. Oochrane and Son, Fort-street. It will be remembered that, on the departure of Bishop Selwyn to hif new tee at Liohfield, his numerous admirers in Auckland proposed to present him with lame suitable memento of the country ix which the best years of his manhood, and tho most beneficial labour* of his intellect, had been spent. It was found, however, that the time was too short to allow of the preparation of such a testimonial as would be worthy tho occasion. It was thea decided that th« testimonial should be forwarded to England after the Bishop. A committee was appointed to carry out the objtefc in view, and subscriptions were collected. After some consideration it, was wisely decided that the testimonial should take the shape of a piece of useful furniture, which, while it would be of an ornamental nature and creditable to colonial art, would serve to continually remind the good Bishop of the scene of hii former labours. Mr. A. Seufirt, th« skilful cabinet-maker, of the Marketplace, off Welleeley-street, was requested to prepare a design of a library table, to be composed of a variety of the most ornamental New Zealand woods, inlaid. The design was prepared, and, about seven months ago, Mr. Seufert received orders to commence the work. The result was viewed yesterday at Messrs. t Cochranes mart, by hundreds of people, amd it was, by one and all, pronounced to be tho moit elaborate and beautiful specimen of colonial art that has over been manufactured in Auckland. To attempt anything like a technical description of the design or the workmanship would be out of place, seeing that the thing itself is now on view. We may, however, for the benefit of those who may by some circumstance or another be prevented from seeing it, give a few particulars. It is what is known as a library or office pedestal writing table, with secretary, pigeon-holes, &o. The main portion of the work is of mottled kauri, while the panels and mouldings are of totara. Some sixteen different woods have been employed in the inlaying. Tho pedestals contain four drawers each, the three lower ones being tastefully inlaid with kohutuhu, matai, and rata, the strings being of kohekohe and orata. The top drawer on each side is inlaid in the pattern of basket work with rewarewa and kohekohe. There is a slide over each of these drawers which may be drawn out at pleasure, amd used either as a desk or as a support f«r books and documents. Over the knee-hole between the two pedestals another slide may be drawn out, and turned back, when it forms a very handsome and comfortable desk. The border of this desk is very handsomely inlaid with kohekohe and orata. The table itself is most beautifully inlaid and polished. The moulding is of totara, and the border of mottled kauri, the design of the inlaid work consisting of a number of stars. To show the amount of labour that has been bestowed upon this part of the work, we a may enumerate the varieties of wood J employed in each. star. The centre-piece^ is of kowhai, outer-pieces being of rata, wharangipiro, rewarewa, mapau, puriri, hinau, and matai respectively. These are further diversified by an overlapping design in the shape of a crags o£ altAak* — The whole forms one of the most elaborate and beautiful pieces of ornamental cabinetry we have ever seen, and we feel sure that the workmanship could not be surpassed anywhere. There is also a secretary, fitted with two rows of pigeonholes, eight in the lower and sixteen in the upper tier, the centre consisting of a kind of alcore, beautifully inlaid with rewarewa and another wood in Mosaicwork. The whole is surmounted by a beautifully carved piece of totara, by Mr. Teutenberg, of Wellesley-street Eaatl The centre of this piece consists of thek Bishop's coat of arms, surrounded by V carved ferns and New Zealand foliage. 1 The back and sides of the table are moulded and inlaid so aa to correspond with the other portions of it. The dimensions of the table are as follow : — Length sft., breadth 3ft., depth 2ft. Gin. The whole is most beautifully finished and polished, and is highly creditable to \1 colonial art. It will be remembered that ■' some years ago Mr. Seufert made a library table of almost the samo pattern, the chief difference being a tambour top, for her Majesty the Queen. This was exhibited in the Exhibition, and was much admired. H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh during his visit to Auckland was shown a photograph of it, at once recognised it, and stated that her Majesty held the article in very high estimation. The testimonial just finished is of equally beautiful design and skilful finish. Mr. Seufert has a high opinion of our colonial woods for cabinetry purposes. Indeed, he says that we have a greater variety of useful and ornamental woods than can be grown in any country in Europe. The piece of furniture just completed will be one of the beat proofs of this that could be given. We believe the total cost of the table, including freight, &c, will amount to about £100, but the committee require to raise a small sum to make up the required amount. We sincerely hope that after the taste they have shown in the selection of an appropriate testimonial, and the spirited way in which the project has been brought to a successful result, the publio will take care that the committee are not saddled with farther expense, seeing that each of them has already contributed largely, both as regards time and aotual money, towards the objeot.