Antique French Incense Burner Censer Rare Bronze Art Nouveau

Up for sale is Antique Depose French Incense Burner Censer Rare Bronze Art Nouveau. This is an antique incense burner or censer made in France and most likely imported by Vantine’s of New York. The interior of the lid reads “ Made in France Deposé ”. By the weight and sound when tapped on, it is likely made of bronze and is very heavy. The piece measures 6 1/2” and weighs 15.27 oz. It is sharply detailed in an art nouveau form with raised floral garland embellishment. There is a bit of residue on the interior and some corrosion on the outside but it is in very good condition and the lid fits tightly. Vantine’s was known as The Oriental Store. It was founded by Ashley Abraham Vantine, who began to import Asian goods in 1866, establishing his store in 1869. Asian goods were practically unknown to New Yorkers at that time and his store gained great popularity. He branched out his business to import perfumes and incense burners from France. He retired in 1887, but the store continued, eventually closing in 1921, although the wholesale perfume part of the business continued. It was bought by well-known mobster Arnold Rothstein in 1926, who used the business as a front for large scale drug smuggling. Rothstein was murdered in 1928 but the perfume business continued into the 1940s. This beautiful yet functional display piece appears to be somewhat rare, unusual and being sold as is.