China, 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, commensurate with age. Old wear and expected age cracks, minor losses and touch-ups. 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 cm

Framed behind glass and with a gilt wood frame. (2)

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Sotheby’s New York, 11 September 2019, lot 816
Price: USD 37,500 or approx. EUR 41,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A polychrome stucco fresco fragment, Yuan / Ming dynasty
Expert remark: Compare 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。

來源：吳權博士收藏；吳蓮伯美術館，館藏編號 M.8.3.。吳權(1910-1997)博士 曾是一位中國外交家以及知名中國藝術收藏家。他的父親吳蓮伯 (1873-1944)先生曾是二十世紀初中國重要政治人物，因在民國動蕩歲月中擔任國會議員及議長而聞名。1952 年，吳博士在外交領域走上了輝煌之路，直到他退休後定居倫敦，並將餘生奉獻給了對中國藝術的研究。毫無疑問，吳權博士多年的收藏，與大量中國藝術珍品現身倫敦藝術市場上時間點相呼應，這無疑是幸運的。從 1950 年代中期到 1960 年代後期，他收集了 1,000 多件藏品，涵蓋了中國藝術的每一個門類。吳博士之所以收藏，其原因主要是爲保護散落歐洲各地的中國文物與推廣中國藝術與文化。尚不清楚吳博士何時想到創建一個美術館來歸置他的收藏的，但在 1968 年，他打開了以他父親的名字命名的 吳蓮伯美術館的大門。多年來，美術館已成為收藏家、學者和來訪政要的必經之地，而吳博士總是很樂意給參觀者介紹美術館，講述中國光輝歷史的故事。
品相：品相良好，磨損和年代裂縫、輕微缺損和小修補。框架有一些磨損、刻痕和劃痕。

尺寸：畫面80.6 x 46.7 釐米，總89.3 x 55.1 釐米

玻璃裝框，描金木框 (2)

拍賣結果比較：
形制：相近
拍賣：紐約蘇富比，2019年9月11日，lot 816
價格：USD 37,500（相當於今日EUR 41,000）
描述：元 / 明灰泥彩繪天女圖壁畫殘部
專家評論：比較相近的人物主題和尺寸(77.5 x 45.5 厘米)。