Head leaves Duleek for new home in LA
The skull of St Vitalis of Assisi which sold for almost € 4,000 at auction in Annesbrook House, Duleek.
THE head of an Italian saint was sold at auction in Annesbrook House, Duleek last Sunday for €3,500.
The new owner, from Los Angeles, USA, secured the prized item, ahead of interest from 60 other declared bidders.
'There was big interest in the skull of St Vitalis of Assisi from all over the world,' stated auctioneer Damien Matthews from Oldcastle.
Indeed, up to 3,000 came along to the view the sale in advance and he had a TV crew from Japan and press from South Africa, Canada and Brazil all in touch.
The skull is believed to be 600 years old and and was originally brought back from the Grand Tour by a local family in the 18th century.
The skull, which is in a Queen Anne case, was expected to fetch anything up to €1,200 but made almost treble that.
After a murky few years, the saint took up the life of a hermit at Santa Maria di Viole.
He was eventually buried alive with stones placed over him.
'Annesbrook was great. We hold a fine art sale every year and the last one was in Loughcrew, We sold 85% of the items,' Damien added.
'It's amazing to think that St Vitalis spent about 250 years in Ireland having been brought over here from Europe and now he's off on his travels again to the United States.'
- Hubert MURPHY
