Auction - Gilt bronze censer sells for $1.2 million

A two-foot high Qianlong Period gilt bronze censer sold for $1.2 million at Bonhams & Butterfields’ sale of Asian art in San Francisco. The 250-year old censer was described by the auctioneers as “fine and rare;” its bell-form bowl is decorated overall with rows of bronze lotus petals above a base of three gilt bronze elephant heads. Bidding had opened at $40,000 and was ultimatly bought by an Asian buyer. The censer came from the private collection of Corinthian Studios in Washington State.