A Maori war club and a collection of Victorian pot lids are to go under the hammer in Edinburgh as part of an auction of 550 curiosities.

The unusual objects, which were collected by stonemason Norris Wood over a 55-year period and have been on display in Orkney since the 1960s, are to be auctioned off later this year by Edinburgh auctioneer Bonhams.

The eclectic contents of Graemeshall House, which Mr Norris bought specifically to house his collection, are expected to make up to £100,000 when they go up for sale in the city on March 15.

Among the lots due to be sold are a number of items from the German Imperial fleet scuttled in Scapa Flow at the end of the First World War, as well as Mr Wood’s first collectible - a novelty pottery frog mug, which he bought at the age of 13.

Gordon McFarlan of Bonhams said the unusual mix of lots made the auction of particular interest.

Posted: 01|31|07 at 2:55 pm. Filed under: UK News.