Hannah Eliza Jane Brenkley (1882 - 1973) (nee Hopkins) was a New Zealand artist and craftswoman. She was born in Norsewood, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand. Her parents were Scandinavian and had immigrated on board the Hovding. When she was five years old, she started sketching; a family member gave her a paint set and she began to paint in watercolours of landscapes, flowers and herbs. She never formally studied art or painting, but became a sought-after artist.

When she was 18, she married sawmiller Thomas Brenkley. The couple lived most of their lives on their dairy farm in the Norsewood-Ormondville area and raised 10 children.

Brenkley was also a wood carver and produced domestic items such as tables, fire screens, umbrella stands, bookends, paperknives, breadboards, decorated boxes and eggcups. These were created with a pocketknife and paintbrush. Brenkley admired Maori culture and many of her items feature artistic more...

62 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

A Jane Brenkley lidded box, the top decorated with a w?hine and…

Jane Brenkley Lidded Box with Maori Motifs and Whanau

A Jane Brenkley lidded box, the top decorated with a w?hine and native flowers, the sides carved with hei tiki and other M?ori motifs. The interior lid has carved and painted flowers and leaves, embellished with shells, paua and beads, the interior lined…

A Jane Brenkley chest, the lid, front and back carved with pa…

Jane Brenkley Carved Chest with Maori Motifs, 1944

A Jane Brenkley chest, the lid, front and back carved with pa scenes, the sides with hei tiki motifs, the interior lid with a riverside scene. the interior lined with Jane's traditional wallpaper, signed and dated 1944. The lid with a repair. Provenance:…

Rare Jane Brenkley folk Art carved & painted Wakahuia (treasure…

Rare 1951 Jane Brenkley Carved Wakahuia: Taniwha & Pokerwork Landscape

Rare Jane Brenkley folk Art carved & painted Wakahuia (treasure box), waka shaped on 2 feet, the hinged lid carved with taniwha and inlaid with paua shell roundels (some missing), the interior with painted pokerwork landscape and verse, signed and dated…

Jane Brenkley carved stand, profusely embellished with floral…

Floral Carved Stand by Jane Brenkley

Jane Brenkley carved stand, profusely embellished with floral decoration raised form a square from base, signed to to the top. 66 cm height

Jane Brenkley carved box, the exterior carved and painted…

Fantail Carved Box by Jane Brenkley

Jane Brenkley carved box, the exterior carved and painted displays two nesting fantails among flowers, the interior lined with wallpaper paper and the usual carved verse and picture to the lid. Includes an original photo of Jane Brenkley and two…

Jane Brenkley carved box, the exterior carved and painted with…

Rose Carved Box

Jane Brenkley carved box, the exterior carved and painted with roses, the interior lined with wallpaper, photos and the usual carved verse and picture to the lid, signed and dated 1959. 19 cm height x 29 cm width

New Zealand kauri poker work folk art glove box decorated with…

Kauri Poker Work Glove Box with Floral Decorations

New Zealand kauri poker work folk art glove box decorated with roses and leaves in the style of Jane Brenkley, the base signed J Vickery, Sunshine Studio, N.P. (new Plymouth?) c1950-60, 30.5 cm width

Jane Brenkley, carved and painted wooden box, the lid with deep…

Bird-themed Wooden Box with Landscape Interior

Jane Brenkley, carved and painted wooden box, the lid with deep relief bird's nest, bird and floral designs, the sides with conforming florals, the interior hinged lid with extensive landscape scene and epithet, 'Good Luck Be Your Way', 'Health, Wealth,…

A large and impressive Jane Brenkley vase, ovoid shape, carved…

Kaka in Kowhaiwhai Tree Vase

A large and impressive Jane Brenkley vase, ovoid shape, carved and painted with two kaka nesting in a Kowhaiwhai tree, unsigned. 46 cm height

An impressive Jane Brenkley carved box. The lid features an…

Jane Brenkley Carved Box with Unique Maori Design

An impressive Jane Brenkley carved box. The lid features an uncommon design of possum and tuatara forms flanked by Maori masks and organic spiral patterns. The design is carved and painted, with inset paua detailing. Pokerworked and painted cottage scene…

A New Zealand colonial Jane Brenkley carved and painted rose…

Rose Carved Colonial Box with Farmhouse Decor, 1955

A New Zealand colonial Jane Brenkley carved and painted rose decorated box, rectangular form, stained and painted red, cream and green roses, the interior lid with poker work decoration of farmhouse scene together with verse, wallpaper and portrait…

A Jane Brenkley pokerwork decorated gourd, with two portraits…

Maori Women and Fantails Gourd Art

A Jane Brenkley pokerwork decorated gourd, with two portraits of Maori women and two studies of fantails, height 28 cm.

A Jane Brenkley Maori carved small box, the lid with two…

Maori Carved Box with Coastal Scene and Fantails

A Jane Brenkley Maori carved small box, the lid with two figures in coastal landscape, conforming scenes carved and painted to the sides, the interior lid with two fantails, wallpaper lining. 'Fantails' inscribed to the lid. 17 cm x 12 cm x 10.6 cm.

An early Jane Brenkley carved wood box, the lid hinged with…

Maori-inspired Carved Wood Box by Jane Brenkley

An early Jane Brenkley carved wood box, the lid hinged with copper wire; carved with Maori motifs, the walls carved with leaves; the lid interior with a tui perched on a kowhai branch finished with coloured paint. 18 cm x 14.5 cm x 7.5 cm.

A Jane Brenkley carved and painted box, rose decorated,…

Rose and Shell Decorated Box by Jane Brenkley (1955)

A Jane Brenkley carved and painted box, rose decorated, highlighted with shells, the interior lid with poker work rural house scene and the words 'How Often We Reach Out To The Far Horizon - And Forget the Beauty That Was At Our Feet', signed and dated…

A Jane Brenkley Maori carved wood trinket box, the hinged lid…

Maori Tiki Trinket Box with Inlaid Paua Eyes (9 words)

A Jane Brenkley Maori carved wood trinket box, the hinged lid carved with tiki with inlaid paua eyes, the sides with notch and lineal designs, the interior lid with painted and pokerwork landscape, signed and dated 1944. 17.5 cm x 11.5 cm x 7.5 cm.

A Jane Brenkley Maori carved wood trinket box, the hinged lid…

Maori Carved Wood Trinket Box with Inlaid Paua Eyes

A Jane Brenkley Maori carved wood trinket box, the hinged lid and walls carved with tiki, manaia and tiki masks with inlaid paua eyes, the interior lid painted with fantails, signed and dated 1943. 19 cm x 12.5 cm x 10.5 cm.

A Jane Brenkley carved wood trinket box, the hinged lid and…

Rose Carved Trinket Box by Jane Brenkley (1951)

A Jane Brenkley carved wood trinket box, the hinged lid and walls carved with roses with colour staining and paint, the interior with pokerwork landscape and epithet, signed and dated 1951'. 22 cm x 17.5 cm x 8 cm.

A Jane Brenkley turned and carved small box, circular, relief…

Rose Relief Box by Jane Brenkley (1949)

A Jane Brenkley turned and carved small box, circular, relief carved with roses, painted and stained, signed and dated 1949, diameter 13 cm.

A Jane Brenkley New Zealand Exhibition 1940 box and Maori…

Maori-Inspired Box and Desk Calendar Set

A Jane Brenkley New Zealand Exhibition 1940 box and Maori themed desk calendar, the small box with poker work and painted lake side whare, the calendar with busts of Maori women, length 11 cm and 29.5 cm

A Jane Brenkley turned and carved vase, low relief carved with…

Wahine Landscape Vase by Jane Brenkley (1943)

A Jane Brenkley turned and carved vase, low relief carved with a wahine in a landscape, painted and stained, signed and dated 1943, height 30 cm.

A Jane Brenkley turned and carved vase, relief carved with…

Autumnal Carved Vase by Jane Brenkley

A Jane Brenkley turned and carved vase, relief carved with leafy branches painted and stained in autumnal tones, signed and dated 1948, height 39 cm.

A Jane Brenkley carved wood 'Friendship' box, the hinged lid…

Carved Wood 'Friendship' Box by Jane Brenkley (1956)

A Jane Brenkley carved wood 'Friendship' box, the hinged lid and sides carved with roses with paint and stained finish, the interior with pokerwork landscape, roses and epithets, signed and dated 1956. 36 cm x 16.5 cm x 17 cm.

A Jane Brenkley carved wood 'Friendship' box, the hinged lid…

Carved Wood Friendship Box with Shells and Roses

A Jane Brenkley carved wood 'Friendship' box, the hinged lid incised and inset with shells and cats-eyes, the sides with carved roses, the interior with pokerwork landscape and epithet, signed and dated 1950. 270 x 19.5 cm x 12 cm.

A Jane Brenkley carved wood 'Friendship' box, the hinged lid…

Carved Wood 'Friendship' Box by Jane Brenkley (1952)

A Jane Brenkley carved wood 'Friendship' box, the hinged lid and front and back carved with deer with paint and stained finish, the ends with pokerwork landscapes, the interior with pokerwork landscape and epithets, dated 1952. 36 cm x 19 cm x 16.5 cm.

An oblong Jane Brenkley carved and painted Maori themed table…

Maori-themed Carved and Painted Table Top Plaque

An oblong Jane Brenkley carved and painted Maori themed table top/wall plaque, three figures to the foreground, a waka on a lake behind with whare on the shore, with original paint and staining, signed and dated 1943, the edge with relief carved repeating…

A Jane Brenkley carved and painted Maori themed table top/wall…

Maori-themed Carved Plaque by Jane Brenkley (1948)

A Jane Brenkley carved and painted Maori themed table top/wall plaque, four figures to the foreground, a waka on a lake behind, with original paint and staining, signed and dated 1948, the edge with relief carved repeating leaf design. 29.5 cm x 46 cm

A Jane Brenkley carved wood 'Friendship' box, the hinged lid…

Carved Wooden Friendship Box by Jane Brenkley (1951)

A Jane Brenkley carved wood 'Friendship' box, the hinged lid and walls carved with roses with painted highlights, the interior with pokerwork landscape and epithets, dated 1951'. 48 cm x 24 cm x 18 cm.

A Jane Brenkley Maori decorated circular lidded box, the lid…

Maori Decorated Circular Box with Wheku Head Design

A Jane Brenkley Maori decorated circular lidded box, the lid carved with a wheku head flanked by manaia, the rim and sloping walls with other wheku masks Maori inspired designs. Signed and dated 1945 under the base. Raised on four short feet, diameter 29…

An oval Jane Brenkley carved and painted Maori themed…

Maori-themed Carved Plaque by Jane Brenkley (1943)

An oval Jane Brenkley carved and painted Maori themed table-top/wall plaque, three figures and two dogs to the foreground, a waka on a lake behind with whare on the shore, with original paint and staining, signed and dated 1943, the edge with relief…

Jane Brenkley signed and dated 1945 small Maori decorated box,…

Maori Decorated Tiki Mask Box

Jane Brenkley signed and dated 1945 small Maori decorated box, the lid with tiki mask, lake scene interior, Maori carved designs to the body, two bar form feet.

A Jane Brenkley Maori carved box, extensively carved,…

Maori Carved Box with Tiki Forms and Loving Inscription

A Jane Brenkley Maori carved box, extensively carved, pokerworked, painted and highlighted with paua and cat's eyes, the hinged lid with three stylised tiki forms, the interior with lake scene and Maori figures inscribed 'Though Loving Thoughts Are Left…

A Jane Brenkley Maori decorated box, the removable lid with…

Maori Decorated Box with Lakeside Scenes and Figures

A Jane Brenkley Maori decorated box, the removable lid with carved and painted lakeside whare, figures, dogs and waka, conforming scenes to all sides, the interior lid with a tui beside a lake, signed and dated 1943. 27.5 cm x 14 cm x 11.8 cm.

A Jane Brenkley decorated box, the lid and sides carved,…

Floral Carved Box with Rotorua Scene

A Jane Brenkley decorated box, the lid and sides carved, pokerworked and painted with native flowers including clematis, kaka beak, kowhai etc., the lid interior with a scene probably Lake Rotorua and Mokoia Island, signed and dated 1944. 31.5 cm x 21 cm…

A Jane Brenkley pedestal bowl, garden decorated interior, roses…

Rose Garden Pedestal Bowl

A Jane Brenkley pedestal bowl, garden decorated interior, roses deeply carved to the rim, diameter 23 cm, height 20 cm.

A Jane Brenkley decorated small box, the colonial landscapes…

Maori-inspired Decorated Box by Jane Brenkley (1944)

A Jane Brenkley decorated small box, the colonial landscapes with waka and whare, Maori carved designs to the borders, conforming decorated interior, signed and dated 1944. 12.7 cm x 12.7 cm x 7.7 cm.

A Jane Brenkley carved and painted portrait bust of a young…

Carved Maori Bust by Jane Brenkley

A Jane Brenkley carved and painted portrait bust of a young Maori man, in three quarter profile with moko detail, original finishes, chip to edge of collar, height 24.5 cm. Provenance: By family descent. Gifted by Jane Brenkley (nee Hopkins) to her…

A large Jane Brenkley carved 'Friendship' box, the hinged lid…

Carved Friendship Box by Jane Brenkley (1952)

A large Jane Brenkley carved 'Friendship' box, the hinged lid and walls carved with roses with colour staining and paint, the interior with pokerwork landscape and epithets, signed and dated 1952'. 50 cm x 28.5 cm x 21 cm.

A Jane Brenkley panel portrait of a Maori chief, relief carved…

Maori Chief Portrait by Jane Brenkley

A Jane Brenkley panel portrait of a Maori chief, relief carved with ink and painted details, signed on reverse. 28 cm x 18 cm

An Jane Brenkley Maori decorated 'Friendship' box, the hinged…

Maori Friendship Box with Tiki and Manaia Carvings

An Jane Brenkley Maori decorated 'Friendship' box, the hinged lid and sides carved deeply with Maori inspired tiki and manaia with cats-eyes inlaid to the eyes and elsewhere as highlights. Remnant colour staining to protruding tongues. A marae landscape…

A pair of Jane Brenkley turned vases, inverse baluster form,…

Signed Jane Brenkley Vases with Tuis in Kowhai Trees

A pair of Jane Brenkley turned vases, inverse baluster form, carved and painted with tuis in kowhai trees, signed and dated 1943, height 28 cm.

A Jane Brenkley carved wood 'Friendship' box, the hinged lid…

Carved Pansy Friendship Box, 1948

A Jane Brenkley carved wood 'Friendship' box, the hinged lid and walls carved with pansies with painted and stained finish, the interior with pokerwork landscape and epithets, dated 1948. 44 cm x 19.5 cm x 10 cm.

A Jane Brenkley carved wood 'wakahuia', the hinged lid and…

Carved Wood Wakahuia with Tuatara and Maori Masks

A Jane Brenkley carved wood 'wakahuia', the hinged lid and sides carved with tuatara, naive Maori masks to either end, remnant colour staining; the interior with pokerwork landscape, epithets, signature and date 1957. 34 cm x 9.5 cm x 9 cm.

An uncommon Jane Brenkley pipe rack, carved in high relief with…

Fantail Leafy Pipe Rack

An uncommon Jane Brenkley pipe rack, carved in high relief with a fantail amongst a leafy background, picked out in oil paints and gilt, height 36.5 cm.

An impressive Jane Brenkley Maori carved box, the lid…

Maori Carved Box with Possum and Tuatara Motifs

An impressive Jane Brenkley Maori carved box, the lid uncommonly carved and painted with possum and stylised tuatara forms on a Maori mask and carved ground, the front with central stylised mask flanked by spiral forms, conforming sides and back, all with…

A rare Jane Brenkley diorama of a Maori marae, with an…

Maori Marae Diorama with Carved Fascia and Figures

A rare Jane Brenkley diorama of a Maori marae, with an intricately carved whare whakairo fascia forming the backdrop, eight figures and three dogs positioned before it along with a pataka and waka, flanked by trees in the foreground. 63 cm x 42 cm x 38 cm.

A Jane Brenkley carved 'Friendship' box, the hinged lid and…

Carved Friendship Box with Maori Motifs and Paua Inlay

A Jane Brenkley carved 'Friendship' box, the hinged lid and walls carved with lizards on a background of Maori inspired motifs and tree boughs, partial painted and stained finish and paua inlaid eyes, the interior with epithet and inscription 'To Alan…

Not bad eh! The work of Jane Brenkley. Jane Brenkley folk art…

Jane Brenkley's Maori Diorama - Folk Art Masterpiece

Not bad eh! The work of Jane Brenkley. Jane Brenkley folk art diorama Maori p., My first ever contact with the work of Jane Brenkley was a visit to the Gunson Street studio Tony Fomison in the mid-1970s. There, right next to the main studio easel was a…

A mid-20th century Maori decorated wide circular bowl, the…

Mid-20th Century Maori Decorated Circular Bowl

A mid-20th century Maori decorated wide circular bowl, the curving outer edge pokerworked with tikis and koru type forms, painted highlights, raised on three spike form feet, unsigned. In the manner of Jane Brenkley, diameter 30.5 cm.

Jane Brenkley poker work and painted N.Z themed wooden basket,…

N.Z. themed painted wooden basket by Jane Brenkley, 1944

Jane Brenkley poker work and painted N.Z themed wooden basket, the open 3/4 cylinder form body with swing handle, decorated with N.Z. landscape and floral themes including waka and fruiting and flowering plants. Signed and dated 1944, some borer to end…

A Jane Brenkley New Zealand Folk Art trinket box, carved and…

New Zealand Pansy Trinket Box, 1956

A Jane Brenkley New Zealand Folk Art trinket box, carved and painted with pansies, the painted interior with inscription and signature, made in 1956, length 22 cm.

A Jane Brenkley New Zealand Folk Art trinket box, carved with…

Maori Trinket Box by Jane Brenkley

A Jane Brenkley New Zealand Folk Art trinket box, carved with Maori motifs. The painted interior lid with signature, length 26.5 cm.

A 1940s Jane Brenkley waka huia, smaller and similar to above,…

1940s Maori Waka Huia with Relief Carved Tiki Faces

A 1940s Jane Brenkley waka huia, smaller and similar to above, lozenge form, the lid, front and back with relief carved stylised tiki face, tongue extended, cat's-eye shell inserts (one missing), the interior lid with a lakeside scene including a…

A 1947 Jane Brenkley carved and decorated waka huia, the hinged…

1947 Carved and Decorated Waka Huia with Maori Designs

A 1947 Jane Brenkley carved and decorated waka huia, the hinged lid carved with a central stylised figure flanked by two tiki form masks, cat's eye inserts, the ground with spiral designs, the exterior entirely decorated with further stylised Maori…

A 1943 Jane Brenkley carved and painted Maori themed…

1943 Maori-themed Carved and Painted Plaque

A 1943 Jane Brenkley carved and painted Maori themed table-top/wall plaque, three figures to the foreground, a canoe with paddler and whare and figures behind, well detailed and with original paint in colours, signed and dated 1943, the edge with relief…

A Jane Brenkley carved box, the exterior carved with Maori…

Maori-Carved Box with Lake Scene Lid (1944)

A Jane Brenkley carved box, the exterior carved with Maori motifs, the interior with paint and wallpaper lining, the lid painted with a lake scene, signed and dated 1944, some fading to exterior. 28 cm x 15 cm x 11 cm

A New Zealand Jane Brenkley carved and painted rose decorated…

Rose Carved Box with Farmhouse Scene, 1952

A New Zealand Jane Brenkley carved and painted rose decorated box, rectangular form, the lid and sides carved in deep relief with roses, stained and painted red and green, diamond incised edging, the interior with further poker work decoration of…

Jane Brenkley carved and painted tall vase, turned baluster…

Signed Brenkley Vase with Leaf Branch Detail

Jane Brenkley carved and painted tall vase, turned baluster form, leaf branch detail with stylised star punched ground, signed and dated. Height 38 cm Provenance: By family descent. Gifted by Jane Brenkley (nee Hopkins) to her brother, our vendor's…

Jane Brenkley carved and painted wood pipe rack, the tall…

Fantail Wood Pipe Rack by Jane Brenkley

Jane Brenkley carved and painted wood pipe rack, the tall rectangular back panel carved in relief with a fantail upon a branch, leaf decorated ground, gold, green and black highlights, the lower shelf with three holes to receive pipes, original patina. 15…

A good Jane Brenkley carved and painted wood Maori stylised…

Maori Female Figure by Jane Brenkley

A good Jane Brenkley carved and painted wood Maori stylised female figure, modelled dancing with one arm raised, a woven cloak to her shoulder, traditional dress, the naturalistic base of boulder type form, original patina. Height 38 cm Provenance: By…

A large Jane Brenkley storage box, the exterior deeply and…

Roses & Leaves Carved Storage Box by Jane Brenkley

A large Jane Brenkley storage box, the exterior deeply and profusely carved with roses and leaves, painted in yellow, red and green; the interior with wallpaper and Christmas card lining also painted and with inscribed verse. Signed and dated 1958. 62 cm…

A Jane Brenkley carved wood 'Friendship' box, the hinged lid…

Carved Wood 'Friendship' Box with Maori Inspired Motifs

A Jane Brenkley carved wood 'Friendship' box, the hinged lid and walls carved with lizards on a background of Maori inspired motifs and tree boughs, the interior with epithet and inscription 'To Alan from Ma, October 7th 1964'. 48 cm x 22 cm x 17 cm