Kenlyn Williamson, of Melbourne, was at the castle to look at the two mirrors she had donated.
But they are not just two ordinary mirrors.
The two large, ornate, hand-crafted mirrors were created by Mrs Williamson’s great-great-grandfather, Lewis Godfrey.
Mr Godfrey, a wood and stone carver, had been contracted by William Larnach in the 1870s and ’80s when the castle was being built. He carved many of the intricate features of the castle, including the ceiling of the entrance foyer and a eye-catching Oamaru stone carving depicting pigs and roses.
He worked as a contractor for Mr Larnach and as work dried up, Mr Godfrey, who had 13 children, uprooted his family and moved to Melbourne, where he worked at a technical college. He continued to carve pieces which found their way into different places and homes.
He had plenty of pieces in his own collection and they stayed in his family after Mr Godfrey died.
She had them for a fair while, but after her son said he did not want them she decided some should go to Larnach Castle. She sent two mirrors to the castle last year and yesterday got to see them in the drawing room.
"They look great, such detail in them. My son didn’t want them, but I didn’t want to throw them away and now we have a great place for them," Mrs Williamson said.
"I used to live in New Zealand, but I have never been to Larnach Castle, but now being here, I am so glad I sent them.
"Everyone loves history and they just look beautiful sitting there."
She had three similar mirrors at home and was still not sure what to do with them.
Larnach Castle owner Margaret Barker said it was wonderful to have the mirrors in the castle and be able to share them with visitors.
