A STUCCO FRESCO FRAGMENT DEPICTING A CELESTIAL MAIDEN, YUAN TO MING DYNASTYChina, 13th-16th century. Finely painted in polychrome pigments with details picked out in gesso relief. Depicting a celestial maiden dressed in flowing robes of red, pale blue, and white, as well as long billowing scarves, holding two long scrolls, the head turned to the side, her face with delicate features, the hair tied behind an ornamental headdress with scrolling clouds and ruyi decoration, the background with rockwork.Provenance: From the collection of Dr. Wou Kiuan. Wou Lien-Pai Museum, coll. no. M.8.3. Dr. Wou Kiuan (1910-1997) was a Chinese diplomat and noted scholar of Chinese art. His father, Wou Lien-Pai (1873-1944), was one the leading political figures of early 20th century China, remembered for his role as speaker and leader of parliament during the turbulent years of the Republican era. Dr. Wou himself embarked on an illustrious career in diplomacy until his retirement in 1952, when he settled in London and devoted the rest of his life to the study of Chinese art. It was no doubt fortuitous that Dr. Wou’s years of collecting coincided with an abundant availability of exceptional Chinese art on the London market. From the mid-1950s to the late 1960s he was able to form a collection of well over 1,000 works that together represented virtually every category of Chinese art. At the heart of Dr. Wou’s drive to collect was a burning desire to preserve the relics of China’s rich historical past scattered across Europe, and to promote Chinese art and culture. It is unclear when Dr. Wou conceived of the idea to create a place to house his collection, but in 1968 he opened the doors to the Wou Lien-Pai Museum, named in honor of his father. Over the years the Museum became a ‘must see’ destination for collectors, academics, and visiting dignitaries, and Dr. Wou would delight in leading his visitors through the galleries, recounting stories of China’s glorious history.Condition: Good condition,mensurate with age. Old wear and expected age cracks, minor losses and touch-. The frame with some wear, nicks, and scratches. Presenting very well overall.Dimensions: Image size 80.6 x 46.7 cm, Size incl. frame 89.3 x 55.1 cmFramed behind glass and with a gilt wood frame. (2)Auction resultparison:Type: RelatedAuction: Sotheby’s New York, 11 September 2019, lot 816Price: USD 37,500 or approx.EUR 41,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writingDescription: A polychrome stucco fresco fragment, Yuan / Ming dynastyExpert remark:pare the related figural motif and size (77.5 x 45.5 cm)元至明代彩繪神女灰泥壁畫中國，十三至十六世紀。彩繪，細節浮雕，描繪一位神女身著紅、淡藍、白三色飄逸的長袍，飄揚的披巾，手執兩卷長卷，側首，五官清秀，頭髮束於頭飾，流雲如意紋飾，身後山水場景。