Two of Christchurch's most significant historic stone carvings are being moved into long-term storage while the fate of their earthquake-damaged home is decided.
The 130-year old carvings of the Canterbury provincial shield and the Royal Standard were retrieved from the rubble of the Timeball Station, which collapsed during a large aftershock in June last year.
Timeball Station property manager Jan Titus said they suffered only minor scratches.
"They're really important and it's just wonderful to get these out of the building.
"When you look at the building and the state of it after those June earthquakes, I'm really surprised that they came out.
"They're in such good condition. It's amazing."
Jan Titus says the carvings will stay in storage for about two years, while decisions are made about whether the station can be restored.
The carvings were created by one of the earliest stonemasons in Christchurch, William Brassington, who also helped build the historic Canterbury Provincial Council Chambers.
