The James Lumsden birdseye huon pine exhibition centre table, circa 1850, the top of this extraordinary table exhibits a star veneer pattern in 12 sections inside a wide cross banding of tightly figured birdseye huon pine, the top edge is also banded as is the apron below, the base again exhibits wonderful birdseye huon pine veneers, the pedestal displaying as an inverted hexagonal vase above a projecting 6 sided collar, all resting on a triform platform with scrolled feet and external roundels. N.b. Whilst Lumsdens career as a cabinet maker has been documented previously and the exhibit of his 'Loo table and pedestal of huon pine' at the great Exhibition of London in 1851 are known, the whereabouts of the table itself has until now remained a mystery, the underside of the table top retains a part paper label that reads 'Lumsden, Brisbane Street Hobart Town 145-146' loo table top of huon pine and pedestal for the same. A further inscription in ink, appearing to be contemporary with the table's age on the pedestal top reads 'This loo table I Bought at the great Exhibition ' 1851, Followed by a signature. Diameter 138 cm