Antique objects on sale in Ireland - 22/04/2010

A "rare Irish antiquity" is being auctioned in Dublin on Friday April 23rd as part of Whyte's History, Literature and Collectibles sale.

The iron-age carved stone head, which is thought to have been made as long ago as 200BC, is expected to fetch £4,335 to £6,070. It is privately owned by the son of the man who found it in the late 1930s.

The item has been dated by historian Dr Brian Lacy whose letter accompanies it. He told BBC Radio Foyle:" They are very rare; we are talking about less than 100 in the whole of Ireland."

He added that the head was of great cultural importance and was a significant symbol to the ancient Celts.

Other objects going under the hammer include a Viking coin, silver Irish coins depicting Anne Boleyn from the Tudor period and a 17th-century map of the British Isles before the Roman invasion.

The auction starts at 10am and finishes at 4pm. The antiques have been on display this week.