antlers

Antler stems from old French, meaning before the eye but more commonly branch or horn. Antlers are a type of attachment that meets at the top of the head of cervids. The antler is greatly exaggerated in males as a secondary sexual characteristic. Originally the mammals that currently host this particular bone structure had tusks or large horns, similar to elephant or rhino. The bones themselves have several purposes, mainly for protection and show of dominance though secondary features include acoustical aide for hearing. Hunting for sport has made collecting actual antlers prized for size and rarity. Though, contemporary culture has allowed artists to reproduce them pretty accurately.