A large hand-carved and hand-painted wooden mirror panel (126 × 60 cm) in a tall vertical format, strongly inspired by New Zealand indigenous symbolism, created in a middle 20th-century folk / community art tradition.

The composition is built around a central vertical mirror, intentionally used as “water” rather than a purely decorative element. The mirror reflects light, space and the viewer, allowing the observer to become part of the artwork and reinforcing the connection between land, water, sky and human presence.

Surrounding this reflective centre is a carefully arranged set of key New Zealand native symbols, including: the sun, mountains, ocean, native ferns (koru), kowhai flowers, kiwi, fantail (piwakawaka) and tuatara.

What makes this piece particularly rare is the simultaneous presence of all these indigenous symbols within a single carved mirror composition. Comparable carved mirrors or decorative panels typically feature only one or two native motifs. The integration of a full symbolic landscape into one coherent narrative mirror is exceptionally uncommon, with no direct equivalent or substitute currently seen on the market.

The carving technique shows clear influence from New Zealand indigenous wood carving traditions, with layered relief, rounded forms and flowing connections between elements, reinterpreted for domestic and community spaces rather than ceremonial use.

This is an unsigned, one-off work, consistent with locally made or commissioned New Zealand folk art, not mass-produced décor.

An outstanding statement piece for an entryway, living room, lodge or gallery-style interior.

Pick up in Papanui, Christchurch