Biography

Ellen Nora Payne (née Field) (1865–1962), widely known as Nellie Payne, was a celebrated woodcarver from Tasmania whose remarkable skill shaped the region’s artistic heritage. Born in Westbury to a prominent colonial family, she was the 12^th of 14 children of Thomas and Elizabeth Field. Nellie discovered a deep enthusiasm for working with wood early in her life, gradually developing the expertise and flair that would define her career.

Payne pursued formal studies in woodworking and design both in Australia and England, which greatly enriched her skills and broadened her artistic perspective. Her training in London exposed her to new techniques and artistic movements, while her Australian education provided a strong foundation in the local timbers and styles that would become hallmarks of her work.

 Her craftsmanship frequently showcased local Tasmanian timbers, and her style wove together elements from both European traditions and the unique Australian context.

Over the years, Nellie Payne’s reputation grew as she created a variety of works, from intricately carved furniture to church decorations and ornamental panels. The quality and artistry of her work earned admiration among fellow craftsmen and art historians alike, and several of her pieces remain preserved in Tasmanian churches and collections to this day. The Royal Coat of Arms for the House of Assembly in Parliament House, Hobart, is one of her more prominent pieces.

Dedicated to the advancement of fine woodwork, Nellie remained an influential figure throughout her life, encouraging an appreciation for handmade artistry and inspiring future Tasmanian makers. Her lifelong commitment and enduring creations have ensured her legacy as a pivotal contributor to Australia’s craft history. Nellie Payne died in Hobart in 1962, aged 97.

 In 2015, there was an exhibition of 70 of her pieces of work in Westbury, put together by a local group who catalogued over 200 of her works. One was a litany desk, circa 1911, which was part of the furnishings of the newly enlarged St. John’s Church, Launceston, and loaned to the Westbury exhibition. 

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