JEWELLERY, DECORATIVE & FINE ARTS AUCTION Tuesday, 27 August 2024 - 10:00 AM start
A Rare and historical New Zealand Adolph Kohn Auckland 1908.Silver 'Great White Fleet' presentation casket and document,
Lot Details
presentation engraved 'To Rear Admiral Charles S. Sperry, Commanding the American Fleet. From Auckland Harbour Board, Auckland N.Z. Aug. 10th. 1908'. Mounted in jade and gold with accompanying William Seuffert-made marquetry boarded cover illuminated document. The rectangular casket raised on fern feet, the front mounted with two pounamu hei tiki with sealing wax eyes, two kiwis in gold, and a rangatira (chief) Ngapuhi chief Tamati Waka Nene (1780s – 4 August 1871) enclosed by the words in gold ‘NAUMAI KI AKARANA’ (Welcome to Auckland). The sides with lion mask and ring handles, the hinged cover mounted with a beveled pounamu panel topped by a gold bar, flanked by ferns and with presentation inscription to Charles S. Sperry. The back exquisitely engraved with a view of the port of Auckland, quilted lining. The lid twice with maker's mark A.KOHN, AUCKLAND, and Sterling Silver. 200 x 155 x 140mm. The casket housed in a velvet lined burr totara box, probably by William Seuffert with two A. Kohn labels. Together with an illuminated address housed in a William Seuffert inlaid wooden boarded cover. The illuminated address forming a long welcome from the people of Auckland to Admiral Charles S. Sperry commanding the American fleet, in gilt-tooled leather frame. The front panel with marquetry of multiple local woods, including images of kōwhai, manuka myrtle, and lacebark flowers, and applied with a gold American eagle and a gold presentation plaque engraved 'Rear Admiral C.S. Sperry, Souvenir from The Citizens of Auckland on the occasion of the Visit of the American Fleet to New Zealand 1908'. Marked 15K, A. KOHN and AUCKLAND. A silver plaque above with an engraved view of Auckland harbour including boats and Rangitoto, marked AKOHN and AUCKLAND, at the base a silver and gold medallion with the New Zealand flag surrounded by the words ‘From Citizens of Auckland New Zealand’. The folder back with further banded and star burst inlay. The folder 285 x 330 x 35mm. In a fitted velvet-lined leather case with further A. Kohn label. This outer case showing some distress. Note: The arrival of the Fleet to New Zealand was an incredibly important occasion due to the instability of world politics. Japan's navy had defeated Russia's in 1905. The fleet's primary mission was to make friendly, courtesy visits to numerous countries while displaying the new U.S. naval power to the world; Roosevelt sought to demonstrate growing American military prowess and blue-water naval capabilities. It is noted that: As the fleet approached New Zealand, excitement rose to fever pitch within the city. The population had swelled with visitors who travelled to Auckland by land and sea, and a general carnival atmosphere prevailed. The American fleet, with the unconsciousness of world travellers, had the temerity to approach New Zealand’s shores on a Sunday morning. Despite the day and the early hour, some 100,000 people—10% of New Zealand’s population— lined the shores of the Waitemata Harbor and Rangitoto Channel to witness the arrival. Legacy'.https://www.usni.org/magazines/naval-history-magazine/1991/september/great-white-fleet-new-zealand The following note is by Brian Peet ‘The Seuffert Legacy’: Admiral Sperry Portfolio. ‘The craftsman responsible for the marquetry covers of Admiral Sperry’s gift was not mentioned in contemporary press reports but was most likely William Seuffert. Kohn and Seuffert craftsmen shared a history of collaboration. In 1886 Siegfried Kohn and Anton Seuffert combined their skills to create a Jubilee Address – a gift to Queen Victoria from the citizens of NZ. In the early 1900s, Adolph Kohn and William Seuffert were also commissioned to create presentation portfolios for the Duke of Cornwall and Lord Ranfurly’. Brian Peet 'The Seuffert Legacy'.
