That would be Kenlyn and Geoffrey Williamson, of Sydney, Australia.
The couple recently gave two large, ornate, hand-carved mirrors to Larnach Castle that were created by Mrs Williamson’s great-great-grandfather Lewis John Godfrey (1834-1919).
Mr Godfrey was a prominent English wood and stone carver contracted by William Larnach to carve the intricate wood features throughout the castle, including the ceilings in the dining room, the entrance foyer, the ladies’ drawing room, the history room and the breakfast room.
A delicate Oamaru Stone carving in the drawing room, which features birds, ferns and a lizard, as well as the lion griffins and eagles on the front steps were also done by the master craftsman.
Mr Godfrey’s work can also be seen in many of Dunedin’s heritage buildings, including First Church, the Bank of New Zealand in Princes St, and the Grand Hotel.
Mrs Williamson said he also made ornate furniture, including the Rococo-style mirrors she had gifted to Larnach Castle.
"I’m absolutely delighted they are going somewhere where they will be appreciated.
"I grew up with them.
"I’d trot off to school and use them to check that my hat was looking right, then gradually I’d use them to put lipstick on. I loved them.
"It will immortalise his work by having them in a place like Larnach Castle."
Because of the age and delicate nature of the mirrors, they had received minor restoration work and had been discreetly reinforced by a conservation architect before being fixed to the wall in the ladies’ drawing room.
Larnach Castle founding director Margaret Barker said she was delighted with the mirrors.
"It’s a beautiful gesture by the Williamson family to think of sending these carvings back to Dunedin, which is where they were made by Godfrey over 150 years ago.
"The Williamson family wanted them displayed in a home setting as Godfrey made them for his own family home.
"We’re happy that the mirrors are in the castle with a suite of Godfrey’s great works, including carved ceilings, a delicate Oamaru Stone carving in the drawing room, and the lion griffins and eagles that command the front steps."
