![]() The Viscounts Powerscourt, Powerscourt, Enniskerry, Co. Provenance: By repute, excavated from a bog near Limerick. Described as “ with fifteen points and skull, restorations, five points with restored breaks, one antler with restored break near the skull, span: 115 in. The largest known pair sold at auction, described as “The Property of a Gentleman”, measured 292cm wide, and came from Powerscourt, Enniskerry, Co. Powerscourt Head (largest known sold at auction) ![]() ![]() Alternatively, it has been suggested that the antlers themselves became so large that they leached minerals and calcium from the animal’s bones, effectively causing what we know as osteoporosis”. There are numerous theories regarding the extinction of the species – over-hunting by humans, as well as loss of habitat and vegetation due to climate change at the end of the last Ice Age are both cited as potential causes. The name itself stems from the fact that most of the remains have been found in the marl underlying bog of Ireland. While the majority of the skeletons have been found in Ireland, their habitat was vast, spreading across Europe, Africa and China. Whilst called the ‘Irish Elk’, the species is neither exclusively Irish – or even an elk but probably related to Red or Fallow deer. The Giant Deer stood around 2.1mtrs tall at the shoulders, carrying antlers weighing up to 40kg and spanning up to 3.65 mtrs. Now extinct, the Irish Elk is one of the largest deer that has ever lived. This example, with 18 points and skull, (restorations), measured 224 cm wide, 126c m deep, 87 cm high (88 in wide, 49 1/2 in deep, 34 in high) and came from the Collection of the Late Sir Sidney & Lady Nolan at The Rodd, Presteigne, North Wales.ĭescription from the Bonham’s Catalogue: “The ‘Irish Elk’ or Giant Deer lived during the Pleistocene Period of the Great Ice Age (starting 2.6 million years ago and ending 11,700 years ago). premium at Bonham’s Sporting Sale held in Edinburgh on 1st May 2019 (click on images to enlarge) The above pair of Giant Irish Deer antlers was sold for £31312.00 (€36305.00) inc.
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