A SET OF FOSSILIZED GIANT IRISH DEER ANTLERS ON UPPER SKULL, (MEGALOCEROS GIGANTEUS)

Pleistocene epoch, from the John Willett Collection right antler 6 points, left antler 8 points, right antler 123cm, right antler palmation 26cm, left antler 126cm, left antler palmation 29cm, tip to tip 154cm, broadest span 212cm, on wooden shield

Provenance: Ex Collection of Dublin University and subsequently to John Willett. This specimen was understood to have been be dug up around 1880 in Ballybetagh Bog, Co. Dublin.

Footnote: John Willett's collection was fifty years in the making. During this period, born out of an interest in filming and photographing wildlife, John acquired specimens from some of the most eminent collections including Norwich Castle Museum; The Loder collection and Trinity College Dublin. At its zenith his collection numbered more than 800 specimen heads which were housed at the purpose built Deer Barn at Hockworthy, Devon. John was one of the founders of the British Deer Society and elected joint chairman and the inaugural Annual General Meeting.