A polychrome stucco 'celestial maidens' fresco panel, Ming dynasty | 明 灰泥彩繪天女圖壁畫殘部

Collection of Beatrice (d. 2007) and Elias (d. 1992) Drexler, acquired prior to 1980, and thence by descent.

Beatrice (2007年逝) 及 Elias (1992年逝) Drexler 伉儷收藏，購於1980年之前，此後家族傳承

Painted in Tang style, the present fresco is inspired by earlier depictions of Buddhist deities, such as those in the Mogao Grottoes at Dunhuang. Compare the sculpture and murals in Cave 57, illustrated in Roderick Whitfield et. al., Cave Temples of Mogao. Art and History on the Silk Road, Los Angeles, 2000, p. 37.

Closely related pieces include one sold in these rooms, 11th September 2019, lot 816, and another from the collection of Albert Bender (1866-1941) and the Berkeley Art Museum, sold at Christie's New York, 17th September 2008, lot 379. Another related pair of frescoes from the collection of Fred Olsen, with two celestial maidens, one dancing and the other playing a dizi, sold in these rooms, 12th September 2018, lot 200. See also three fragments sold at Christie's New York, 21st September 2000, lots 201 and 202 (pair).