Image size: 35cm x 27cm
Medium: Print
Notes: Although the Irish Elk (or Giant Deer) originated during the Pleistocene Period of the Great Ice Age and was extinct by the time of this painting, the greatest concentration of remains have been found in the peat bogs of Ireland giving rise to the popular nomenclature of this species. During the 19th century it was fashionable for ancient antler specimens to be displayed in baronial halls and ‘Johnny’ Millais was known to have a set in his possession. Popular believe is that size of the antlers of the huge Irish Elk hindered its movement when the forests grew up after the Ice Age, making it susceptible to predators.
This is one of a series of prints from the Handbook of British Mammals, published 1904.