Expert’s note: This painting belongs to an important group of Buddhist stucco works dating from the Late Yuan to Early Ming dynasties, featuring ‘Court’ and ‘Paradise’ scenes from monasteries that date from the 12^th to 13^th centuries, containing a painting repertoire favored during the Tang dynasty. The style of painting in this fresco is reminiscent of the Tang dynasty painter Wu Daozi (c. 685–758) and was ideal for painting religious figures. Unlike earlier modes stressing precise contours, the whirling spiritual energy of this brushwork gives the impression of qi, or inner life.

China, 13^th-14^th century. The rectangular panel painted with a winged apsara, adorned in a phoenix headdress, wearing a flowing robe with an elaborate necklace of coral and jade beads, bearing wings, and holding a long-handled ritual censer issuing clouds, all painted in polychrome pigments highlighted in finely applied gesso relief.

Provenance: Boston trade. By repute acquired from an old private estate, where it was mounted in a fitted Perspex case to serve as tabletop. The table was subsequently disposed of, whereas the Perspex case is still present.
Condition: An intact section of a larger wall painting in overall good condition with faint cracks, losses and fading to the pigments, showing evidence of various periods of minor retouching. The edges minimally frayed.

Dimensions: 81 x 54 x 0.8 cm

Literature comparison: For a discussion on the creation of Yuan and Ming wall frescos, and their context in monasteries, see Ka Bo Tsang, Further Observations on the Yuan Wall Painter Zhu Haogu and the Relationship of the Chunyang Hall Wall Paintings to ‘The Maitreya Paradise’ at the ROM.” Artibus Asiae, vol. 52, no. 1/2, 1992, pp. 94-118.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Sotheby’s, New York, 15 September 2010, lot 293.
Price: USD 15,000 or approx. EUR 18,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A large polychrome fragment of a Buddhist fresco, Yuan / Ming dynasty
Expert remark: Compare the closely related manner of painting with similar wings and round faces. Note the size (135.3 x 104.1 cm).

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie’s, New York, 16 September 2008, lot 378.
Price: USD 20,000 or approx. EUR 25,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A rare painted Buddhist wall fresco, Yuan/Ming dynasty
Expert remark: Compare the closely related manner of depicting the clouds, with a multitude of flowing lines and the use of peach for shading, as well as the figure, with a similar fleshy appearance and abundant trailing draperies. Note the size (77.5 x 45.5 cm).



元至明代彩繪飛天灰泥壁畫
中國，十三至十四世紀。長方形，精美描繪飛天神女，頭戴鳳冠，身穿飄逸長袍，配以精美的珊瑚和玉珠項鍊，長有翅膀，手持長柄香爐，彩繪突出細節，石膏浮雕。

專家注釋：此畫屬於元末明初一系列重要的佛教灰泥壁畫，描繪十二至十三世紀寺院的“宮廷”和“極樂世界”場景，包含唐代流行的曲目。這幅壁畫的繪畫風格讓人想起唐代畫家吳道子（約 685-758 年），描繪宗教人物。 與強調精確輪廓的早期風格不同，這種流暢筆法更突出了人物的生動。

來源：波士頓古玩交易，據説購於一個私人老收藏，它曾被安裝在一個有機玻璃盒中作為桌面。這桌子後來被處理掉，而有機玻璃盒仍然存在。
品相：一幅較大的壁畫的部分，整體狀況良好，有輕微裂縫、缺損和褪色，不同時期的輕微小修補，邊緣極少磨損。

尺寸：81 x 54 x 0.8 厘米

文獻比較：討論元明壁畫的創作及其在寺院的語境，見Ka Bo Tsang，〈Further Observations on the Yuan Wall Painter Zhu Haogu and the Relationship of the Chunyang Hall Wall Paintings to ‘The Maitreya Paradise’ at the ROM〉，Artibus Asiae，卷52，編號1/2，1992年，頁94-118。

拍賣結果比較：
形制：非常相近
拍賣：紐約蘇富比，2010年9月15日，lot 293
價格：USD 15,000（相當於今日EUR 18,500）
描述：元 / 明代彩繪佛教壁畫
專家評論：比較非常相近有翅膀的繪畫風格和圓臉。請注意尺寸(135.3 x 104.1 厘米)。

拍賣結果比較：
形制：非常相近
拍賣：紐約佳士得，2008年9月16日，lot 378
價格：USD 20,000（相當於今日EUR 25,000）
描述：元 / 明代彩繪佛教壁畫
專家評論：比較非常相近以大量線條畫雲， 以及身材，有著相似的豐盈感。請注意尺寸(77.5 x 45.5 厘米)。