A BRONZE ELEPHANT AND LOTUS TRIPOD CENSER ON WOOD STAND China, 17th ct. H. 32,5 cm (40 cm mit Stand) The flaring rounded body supported on three caparisoned elephant heads and flanked by handles in the form of elephant trunks, the body with a leafy undulating lotus scroll, all below the flared rim with a key-fret border, surmounted by a domed cover, the sides with pierced lotus decoration below the finial formed as a recumbent elephant supporting a bowl with auspicious objects atop the cloth saddle. Weight 6,63 kg without stand. Important German aristocratic private collection, assembled in China prior to 1904 and owned by the family since then - Compare a larger gilt, cloisonné enamel and bronze censer and cover illustrated by C. Bruckner in Chinese Imperial Patronage. Treasures from Temples and Palaces, Vol.II, London, 2005, Catalogue no.30. Minor traces of age, small piece to stand lost and another small piece replaced