“Ellen Nora Payne – Woodcarver of Tasmania” by Russell Atkinson. Published 1975.
“Ellen Nora Payne – Woodcarver of Tasmania” by Russell Atkinson. Published 1975. DB209 This is the story, told for the first time, of Mrs. Ellen Nora Payne, of Westbury and Hobart, who filled a lifetime of 97 years with an artistic achievement which ranks her with Australia’s most remarkable women. With her good looks and […]
Nellie’s passing. 31st January 1962.
Nellie’s passing. 31st January 1962. DB164 Nellie’s last few years were spent quietly at Antill Street, lovingly cared for by daughter Madge, and enjoying always the company of old friends who called upon her from time to time. And when the weather was warm she would go for short walks on the arm of a […]
Coat of Arms for Davson. Carved 1952.
Coat of Arms for Davson. Carved 1952. Davson coat of arms. Davson coat of arms provenance. Coat of Arms from Nellie’s scrapbook. DB188 This coat of arms carved by Nellie Payne is now in Switzerland.
Jewellery box made by Charles Payne pre 1951. Initials carved by Nellie Payne
Jewellery box made by Charles Payne pre 1951. Initials carved by Nellie Payne. DB154 Josephine married Charles Payne (b 1926) – Nellie’s third grandchild and only grandson in 1951. Charles made a jewellery box and a powder box for his engagement to Jo. Nellie carved Jo’s initials “JKA” into the top of each box.
Dower chest carved 1951 for Josephine K Anderson
Dower chest carved 1951 for Josephine K Anderson. Dower chest for Josephine Anderson Inside lid of Josephine Anderson’s dower chest. Embossed leather book cover. DB90 DB203 Josephine (Jo) married Charles Payne (b 1926, d 2021) – Nellie’s third grandchild and only grandson -in 1951. Nellie carved this dower chest for their engagement, having faith that […]
Bookends for Marion Brookes. Carved 1950.
Bookends for Marion Brookes. Carved 1950. DB191 Margaret Brooks of Victoria now has the bookends that were carved by Nellie for her mother, Marion. Marion Brooks is the youngest daughter of Gordon Lindsay Clark and Barbara Jane Walch. (Nellie also carved a chair for Lindsay Clark – DB192) The extended Walch family included Marian’s Aunt […]
Dower chest for Gillian Youl. Carved 1949.
Dower chest for Gillian Youl. Carved 1949. DB116 Gill Youl married Richard (Dick) Thomas who was Nellie’s great nephew (grandson of Richard Charles Field). This dower chest was carved by Nellie for their engagement in 1949. They were married in 1950. It has been handed down to Gill’s daughter, Wendy. Examiner (Launceston, Tas. : 1900 – […]
Dower chest for Katharine Lord. Carved 1948.
Dower chest for Katharine Lord. Carved 1948. Dower chest for Katharine Lord. Close up inscription inside lid of Katharine Lord’s dower chest. Close up of carving of Katharine Lord’s dower chest. DB118 Whilst Atkinson did an outstanding job writing the Ellen Nora Payne book, there is one mistake that has been found whilst undertaking research […]
Dower chest for Ardyn Smith. Carved 1947.
Dower chest for Ardyn Smith. Carved 1947. Ardyn Smith dower chest Ardyn Smith dower chest detail. Ardyn Smith dower chest provenance. Note from Ardyn Smith. Ardyn Smith as flower girl. DB114 The wedding photograph above was taken on the occasion of Geoffrey Payne’s wedding. Geoffrey was Nellie Payne’s son. Ardyn Smith is the flower girl. […]
Dower chest for Nora and Tulloch Field. Carved 1947.
Dower chest for Nora and Tulloch Field. Carved 1947. Dower chest for Nora and Tulloch Field. Close up inside lid Nora and Tulloch Field dower chest. Close up date on Nora and Tulloch Filed’s dower chest. Secret drawer in Noar and Tulloch Field’s dower chest. DB107 This chest is unusual in two ways –firstly the […]
Chest for Ted (Edward) Pedley. Carved 1945.
Chest for Ted (Edward) Pedley. Carved 1945. DB94 Ted is the eldest son of Mollie (née Field) and Henry Pedley. Mollie was one of Nellie’s elder sisters, hence Ted was Nellie’s nephew. Ted was born in 1924 and grew up on the family farm “Craythorne”. He joined the air force for the Second World War, […]
Dower chest for Phyllis (Margaret) Hawker née Payne. Carved 1945.
Dower chest for Phyllis (Margaret) Hawker née Payne. Carved 1945. Dower chest for Phyllis Payne. Fairy Wrens inside lid. Phyllis Payne’s dower chest. Provenance of Phyllis Payne dower chest. DB88 Phyllis was Nellie and Dr Payne’s second grandchild – the second daughter of Geoffrey and Gladys Payne. Phyllis was born in 1924 and trained as […]
Dower chest for Elizabeth (Nancy) Payne. Carved 1943.
Dower chest for Elizabeth (Nancy) Payne. Carved 1943. Elizabeth Payne dower chest lid open. Close up front Elizabeth Payne dower chest. Dower chest for Elizabeth Payne. Close up inscription inside lid, Elizabeth Payne dower chest. DB87 Elizabeth was Nellie and Dr Payne’s eldest grandchild – the eldest daughter of Geoffrey and Gladys Payne. Liz was […]
‘Seven Sisters’ Chancel Screen, St Andrew’s Church, Westbury. Dedicated 1938.
‘Seven Sisters’ Chancel Screen, St Andrew’s Church, Westbury. Dedicated 1938. St Andrew’s Church, Westbury – Chancel screen St Andrew’s Church, Westbury – Chancel screen detail DB2 Extract from “Ellen Nora Payne – Woodcarver of Tasmania” by Russell AtkinsonEver since the death of Miss Ethel Field in 1931, Mrs. Payne had become increasingly aware of how […]
Dower chest for Wanda Piesse. Carved 1937.
Dower chest for Wanda Piesse. Carved 1937. DB108 (Josephine) Wanda Piesse was a good friend of Nellie’s. The Piesse family were in the shipping and freight business at 70 Elizabeth Street, Hobart (currently the Tourist Information Office). Wanda’s sister Jean Seager also owned the original Wainwright painting “The cutmear twins” which was later purchased by […]
Dower chest for Viti Allardyce. Carved 1937.
Dower chest for Viti Allardyce. Carved 1937. DB99 Constance Viti Molesworth Allardyce was the daughter of Governor William Lamond Allardyce and Lady Constance Angel Allardyce (née Green). He was the Governor of the Falkland Island, Bahamas, Tasmania from 1920-1922 then Newfoundland. Viti was born in in 1896 in Suva, Fiji, hence her name. She came […]
Shrine of Remembrance medal 1934.
Shrine of Remembrance medal 1934. DB157 “Ellen Nora Payne – Woodcarver of Tasmania” by Russell Atkinson pg 90/91 In 1934 there came a proud day – to be followed by a still prouder one. By post there came an invitation from the Shrine Trustees to attend the ceremony of dedication of the Shrine of Remembrance […]
Dower chest for Marjorie Field. Carved circa 1929.
Dower chest for Marjorie Field. Carved circa 1929. No images available. DB92 No photographs have been able to be found of this dower chest. If you have any further information or pictures to add to this please contact Westbury and Districts Historical Society through the contact page. “Ellen Nora Payne – Woodcarver of Tasmania” by […]
Alan Field Payne memorial bookcase, Hutchins School, Hobart. Carved 1929.
Alan Field Payne memorial bookcase, Hutchins School, Hobart. Carved 1929. Alan Field Payne bookcase Alan Field Payne bookcase details top panel. Alan Field Payne bookcase details left hand panel. Alan Field Payne bookcase details right hand panel. DB47 “Ellen Nora Payne – Woodcarver of Tasmania” by Russell Atkinson – page 84“It is doubtful if Mrs […]
Dower chest for Dulcie Field. Carved 1928.
Dower chest for Dulcie Field. Carved 1928. Dulcie Fields dower chest Close up carving detail Close up inscription on lid Photo from Nellie’s scrapbook of Dulcie Field dower chest lid open. Photo from Nellie’s scrapbook of Dulcie Field dower chest. DB105 This beautiful dower chest has been donated to the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, […]
Alan Field Payne memorial tablet presented in 1926 to The Hutchins School, Hobart.
Alan Field Payne memorial tablet presented in 1926 to The Hutchins School, Hobart. Alan Field Payne memorial tablet. Alan Field Payne memorial tablet as shown in Nellie’s scrapbook. DB163 Presented to The Hutchins School, Hobart for the opening of the War Memorial Library in 1926, it now resides in the Hutchins Museum. Apollo – Hutchins […]
Dower chest for Keva Allardyce. Carved 1923.
Dower chest for Keva Allardyce. Carved 1923. DB100 Katherine Angel Keva Allardyce was the daughter of Governor William Lamond Allardyce and Lady Constance Angel Allardyce (née Green). Allardyce was Governor of the Falkland Islands, Bahamas, then Tasmania from 1920-22, then Newfoundland. Keva was born in Suva, Fiji – hence her name. Keva married Charles Travers […]
Dower chest for Mollie (Mary) Field. Carved 1923.
Dower chest for Mollie (Mary) Field. Carved 1923. Dower chest for Mollie Field. Close up inscription inside lid Mollie Field’s dower chest. Inside lid of Mollie Field’s dower chest Close up Owl on Mollie Field’s dower chest. Close up Kookaburra on Mollie Field’s dower chest. DB93 Mollie Field was born in 1898 to George Westfield […]
Blackwood fire guards. Carved 1922.
Blackwood fire guards. Carved 1922. No image available. DB187 Nellie carved a pair of these for her nephew Thomas Field’s wedding in 1922. Thomas lived at Westfield, Westbury. Daily Telegraph (Launceston, Tas. : 1883 – 1928), Saturday 17 December 1921, page 7 WEDDING BELLS FIELD— RITCHIE The marriage of Mr Thomas Ayton Field, elder son […]
Dower chest for Beatrice Agnew. Carved 1922.
Dower chest for Beatrice Agnew. Carved 1922. DB109 It is believed that this Dower chest was carved for Mrs Beatrice Agnew (nee Symonds) of Oatlands. Nellies scrapbook has a note saying “Louis Agnew”. We think this refers to Luis Lempriere Agnew of Oatlands, Tasmania who married Beatrice (Irene) in October 1922. The Mercury, Tasmania: Monday […]
Dower chest for Dorothy Thomas née Field. Date carved circa 1921.
Dower chest for Dorothy Thomas née Field. Date carved circa 1921. No images available. DB95 There has been no image found for this dower chest and it’s whereabouts is unknown. If you have any further information regarding this dower chest please inform The Westbury and Districts Historical Society through the contact page. Dorothy Elizabeth Field […]
Mantelpiece and built in cupboard, Byron St, Hobart. Carved 1921.
Mantelpiece and built in cupboard, Byron St, Hobart. Carved 1921. Mantlepiece Byron St, Hobart Close up cupboard panel, Byron St, Hobart. Close up panel, mantlepiece, Byron St, Hobart. Initials detail mantlepiece, Byron St, Hobart. Close up bracket, mantlepiece, Byron St, Hobart. DB76, DB77 Nellie carved these pieces to decorate the lounge room when her son […]
Chest for Philip Hudson. Carved 1920.
Chest for Philip Hudson. Carved 1920. DB112 Philip Burgoyne Hudson was born in Auckland, New Zealand on 6th February 1887 and died in 1952 at the age of 64. He was the son of Charles Hudson, Railway Commissioner of Victoria. As a child he attended Wellington College in New Zealand and moved to The Friends […]
Dower chest for Atkinson. Carved 1920.
Dower chest for Atkinson. Carved 1920. DB98 The Atkinson family were good friends with the Payne family in Hobart. Mr Thomas Reibey Atkinson (1844-1902) had married Edith Ella Toffl (1865-1955) in 1888. Mr Atkinson was a Legislative Council member from 1897-1902. They had 4 children – Thomas, Alan, Russell, and Alison. This chest may have […]
Altar rails carved 1917 in memory of Sergeant Lindsay McRae (Max) Field. Erected St Michael’s Anglican Church, Kimberley, Tasmania.
Altar rails carved 1917 in memory of Sergeant Lindsay McRae (Max) Field. Erected St Michael’s Anglican Church, Kimberley, Tasmania. Altar rails, St Michael’s, Kimberley. Close up altar rails St Michael’s Church, Kimberley. Close up brass plaque, St Michael’s Church, Kimberley. DB172 The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 – 1954), Monday 30 April 1917, page 6 […]
Dower chest for Alicia Jane Whitesides. Carved 1917.
Dower chest for Alicia Jane Whitesides. Carved 1917. DB104 This is a dower chest which was carved by Nellie for Alicia Jane Whitesides who was born in 1849 and died in 1940. Alicia was Marie’s paternal auntie and sister of Edward J.C. Whitesides who had married Nellie’s sister Sara Jane Field. This chest has been […]
Westfield entrance hall panelling. Carved 1917.
Westfield entrance hall panelling. Carved 1917. Westfield hallway doors and panelling. Over door panel Westfield Close up devil grotesque. Mantlepiece in small sitting room, Westfield. DB80, DB81, DB82, DB83 Westfield was the place of Nellie’s birth near Westbury, Tasmania. “Ellen Nora Payne-Woodcarver of Tasmania” by Russell AtkinsonHer stay at Westfield helped, for she loved Westfield, […]
Chest for Geoffrey Payne. Carved 1916.
Chest for Geoffrey Payne. Carved 1916. Chest for Geoffrey Payne. Inside of lid, chest for Geoffrey Payne. DB85 Geoffrey Payne was Nellie and Dr. Payne’s second child and elder son. He was born in 1890 in Hobart, prior to the family moving to Melbourne and then London. In England he firstly went to a local […]
Bookcase for Alan Field Payne. Carved 1915-1918.
Bookcase for Alan Field Payne. Carved 1915-1918. DB75 This bookcase is made from walnut timber and was designed and carved for Nellie’s son, Alan Field Payne. We assume it was carved whilst Alan (and his brother Geoffrey) were away at war. Nellie had something in common with all other mothers of sons serving with the […]
Dower chest for Madge Payne. Carved 1913.
Dower chest for Madge Payne. Carved 1913. Dower chest for Madge Payne. Close up front dower chest. Close up inscription. DB86 Madge was Nellie and Dr Payne’s only daughter, and the eldest of their children, being born in 1888 in Hobart. Later the family moved to Melbourne, then London, where Madge went to Blackheath High […]
Dower chest for Marie Whitesides. Carved 1912.
Marie’s dower chest. Stringy bark apple design (2nd Niece). Carved 1912 DB103 This is a dower chest which was carved by Nellie for Marie Whitesides. Marie was born in 1890 to Sara Jane (née Field) and Edward J.C. Whitesides; therefore she was Nellie’s niece. Marie married Charles Davies in 1913, gave birth to a daughter […]
Dower chest for Ella Field. Carved 1910.
Dower chest for Ella Field. Carved 1910. DB91 Ella Field was the first of Nellie’s nieces to be married, and Nellie carved her first dower chest to mark this occasion. Circular Head Chronicle Wednesday 22 November 1911, page 2 NEWS OF THE WEEK Mr Fred. W. Ratten, of Union Bank, son of the Rev. and […]
Bed carved by Ellen Nora Payne for herself. 1909.
Bed carved in 1909 by Ellen Nora Payne for herself. Nellie’s bed. Close up bed carved date. Close up carvings at head of bed. Close up bed knob. Close up carvings at foot of bed. DB204 It was only a couple of weeks before the exhibition in 2015 that we found out that Nellie had […]
Pulpit, St Andrew’s Church, Westbury. Erected 1906.
Pulpit, St Andrew’s Church, Westbury. Erected 1906. ST Andrew’s Church, Westbury – Carved oak pulpit ST Andrew’s Church, Westbury – Carved oak pulpit detail ST Andrew’s Church, Westbury – Carved oak pulpit detail ST Andrew’s Church, Westbury – Carved oak pulpit detail DB1 Extract re pulpit from “Ellen Nora Payne – Woodcarver of Tasmania” by […]
Settle carved 1906 for George. W. Field.
Settle carved 1906 for George. W. Field. DB133 Nellie carved this settle for one of her brothers, George Westfield Field (1862-1935) who married Ethel Archer. They had 8 children. Atkinson says “The design on the back of this settle was unusually elaborate and graceful, and the legend it bore was ‘Home Keeping Hearts are Happiest’”
“The Seasons” four panelled screen. Carved 1906
“The Seasons” four panelled screen – 1906 “The Seasons” four panelled screen. Close up Crocus embroidery. Close up Blackberry embroidery. Close up Briar Rose embroidery. Close up leather detail. DB73 “Ellen Nora Payne: Woodcarver of Tasmania” by Russell Atkinson, 1975, pg. 51 One piece which all members of the family were proud to point out […]
Settle for Richard Charles Field. Carved 1900.
Settle for Richard Charles Field. Carved 1900. DB120 This settle was carved for Richard Charles Field (1866-1961), Nellie’s younger brother.
Sideboard carved 1898. Probably for Payne family.
Sideboard carved 1898. Probably for Payne family. DB142 Apart from the year it was carved there is no further information. It is supposed that it was carved for the Payne family home. If you have any further information on this piece please get in touch with the Westbury and Districts Historical Society through the contact […]
Framed needlework stitched 1847 by Elizabeth Field.
Framed needlework stitched 1847 by Elizabeth Field. DB161 This piece of framed needlework was stitched by one of Nellie’s older sisters, Elizabeth (known as Lizzie) who was born in 1853 and died in 1920. She married Charles Easton and they had no children. It was worked by Lizzie in 1847 when she was just 16 […]
Payne family crest and mirror. Date carved unknown.
Payne family crest and mirror. Date carved unknown. Payne family crest. Payne family mirror. DB79 This is the Payne family crest, carved by Nellie many years ago.The snake represents the medical profession of Dr Payne, and the two lions represent Nellie and Dr Payne’s two sons, Geoffrey and Alan.The words translate as ‘DEEDS NOT WORDS” […]
Propellor and joystick owned by Nellie’s son Alan Field Payne. Not carved by Ellen Nora Payne.
Propellor and joystick owned by Nellie’s son Alan Field Payne. Not carved by Ellen Nora Payne. DB137 The Alan Field Payne Memorial Scholarship Board (not carved), at Hutchins School, Hobart, Tasmania, features the joystick from his Sopwith Pup fighter plane. It was presented to the school in 1977 by Madge Payne. It is currently housed […]
Bookcase made for Nancy Field. Date carved unknown.
Bookcase made for Nancy Field. Date carved unknown. DB140 This book case was made for Nellie’s neice, Nancy Field (b1900-d1988). Nancy did not marry and it in unknown when Nellie carved it for Nancy. It was handed down to Nancy’s nephew, Geoffrey, who still treasures this piece of furniture. Geoff remembers going to stay in […]
Mirror carved for Mollie Field (niece). Date unknown.
Mirror carved for Mollie Field (niece). Date unknown. DB141 This beautifully carved mirror is believed to have been carved for Nellie’s niece Mollie Field who married Henry Pedley. It was handed down to their son Geoff who has handed it down to his daughter Karen and family.
Ethel Field (Nellie’s younger sister)
Ethel Field (Nellie’s younger sister) Altar for St George’s Church, Invermay. Close up carvings on altar. Close up brass plaque on altar. DB202 Ethelwyn Lindsay Field was born in 1869, and was Nellie’s youngest sister. Ethel was only eleven when her father died. She later became a successful horsewoman and bred several thoroughbred horses. She […]
Dower chest for Betty Field. Date carved unknown.
Dower chest for Betty Field. Date carved unknown. No images available. DB106 Betty McKenzie (née Mitchell) married Thomas Field (1897-1990) who was Nellie’s nephew. For both of them this was their second marriages. Thomas was previously married to Jean Ritchie and they had a daughter, Patricia Field. Thomas and Betty lived at “Westfield” and had […]
Dower chest for Mrs Walker. Date carved unknown.
Dower chest for Mrs Walker. Date carved unknown. No images available. DB101 Unfortunately, we have not been able to find this dower chest that was carved for Mrs Walker. If you have any further information on this piece please get in touch with The Westbury and Districts Historical Society through the contact page. It is assumed […]
Dower chest for Gweneth Wisewould. Date carved unknown.
Dower chest for Gweneth Wisewould. Date carved unknown. No images available. DB96 No image exists of this dower chest as it was burnt in a fire. If you have any information regarding this item please use the contact page to inform The Westbury and Districts Historical Society. Gweneth Wisewould (1884-1972), medical practitioner, was born on 30 August […]
Dower chest for Rosemary Payne. Date carved unknown.
Dower chest for Rosemary Payne. Date carved unknown. Dower chest for Rosemary Payne. Inside lid of Rosemary Payne dower chest. DB89 Rosemary was Geoffrey and Gladys Payne’s youngest child, and therefore Nellie’s youngest grandchild. She was born in 1930 and trained in Adelaide as a kindergarten teacher. Back in Hobart she taught at Lady Gowrie […]
Copper door plates. Creation date unknown.
Copper door plates. Creation date unknown. DB162 These copper door plates were worked for the home of Mollie Pedley, Nellie’s niece. They are currently greeting family and friends on the home of Mollie’s son and daughter-in-law, Ted and Peg Pedley. It is known that Nellie worked in copper, but it is not known whether these […]