A TAXIDERMY ALICORN, 20th century, a taxidermy horse mounted on a metal base, in a rearing position, with mounted swan wings and horn, on two Corinthian capitals, 202cm high excluding base, 239cm high including base 195cm wingspan 195cm long This work was commissioned by the current owner. The word 'Alicorn' has its roots in Latin, where it is used to describe the horn of a unicorn. Unicorn horns have been of great medicinal interest since their first mentionings in antiquity and were often featured in cabinets of curiosities into the Victorian era. They were commonly believed to have immense healing powers, as well as the power to purify water and cure most forms of poisoning and intoxication. What was in fact used would likely have been horns of the more common variety, from deers and stags, but also narwhals as these would have been deemed more visually appropriate and more convincing. These would have been ground and ingested in various ways, believed to cure most ailments, and would have been kept by European royalty in the belief that they would ward off disease. This lot can be viewed prior to the sale at a London SW location on a prearranged basis. In order to arrange a viewing, please contact Mark Wilkinson or Otto Billström at Sworders. Collection from the same location following the sale. Condition report: Wings detachable, and the horse detaches from its base.