THE Irish Elk antlers to be sold in London. UPDATE: THESE WERE UNSOLD
A set of Irish Elk antlers is one of the more unusual lots at the Thomas Del Mar auction of antique arms, armour and militaria at Blythe Road, London W14 on June 25. The Megalocerus Giganteus antlers measure just over three meters and date from the Pleistocene Period. The estimate is £20,000-30,000.
The sale contains items from the Metropolitan Museum in New York and the Art Institute of Chicago. The latter institution is selling more than 20 lots to benefit the Harding Collection including a mounted armour for the Jousts Real in the Spanish style of c1500-1510, consisting mainly of 19th century pieces with some 16th century elements. A composite North Italian etched corslet – breastplate and backpiece – from the late 16th century, once in the collection of Prince Peter Soltykoff, is being sold by the Trustees of the Metropolitan Museum. It is estimated at £12,000-18,000.