Polychrome painted limestone figure of Saint Catherine France, 14th century. Her dress is decorated with floral motifs and foliage with long, straight pleats; the mantle has an orphrey; she carries the wheel of her martyrdom in her left hand. Height: 72 cm Provenance: Acquired by Monsieur de M., Château du Moulin in Lassay-sur-Croisne (Loir-et-Cher), around 1900, then by descent from the current owner. History: The Saint Catherine from the Château du Moulin (reference 1684 W 13). It appears to have been classified as a Historic Monument by order of the Minister of State for Cultural Affairs on 20 July 1962, before this protection was withdrawn by order of 15 May 1963. We would like to thank the Loir-et-Cher Departmental Archives for providing us with the documents, decrees and correspondence relating to the history of Sainte Catherine. These documents are available on request. Bibliography : P. Vitry, Paul Michel Colombe et la sculpture française de son temps, 1901, pp. 75-76. Comparative bibliography: J-R Gaborit, Art Gothique- Histoire Mondiale de La Sculpture, Hachette, 1978. P-Y Le Pogam, La sculpture gothique: (1140-1430), Hazan, 2020. Saint Catherine of Alexandria is an important figure in Christianity, often celebrated as a martyr. According to tradition, she lived in Alexandria, Egypt, in the 3rd or 4th century. The daughter of a pagan nobleman, she received an exceptional education, becoming a talented scholar and orator. The story goes that she converted to Christianity and began preaching the Christian faith, attracting the attention of the Emperor Maxentius. Maxentius, furious at her speeches and popularity, tried to persuade her to renounce her faith and marry him, but Catherine refused. According to tradition, she was condemned to be tortured on a wheel, but the wheel broke when she was martyred, which is considered a sign of her holiness. The Saint Catherine shown here was probably holding a sword or palm in her right hand and treading on the Emperor Maximilian with her right foot. Her face is soft and charming, surrounded by long, wavy hair. Her dress, the piped pleats of which emphasise the verticality of the body and fall at an angle to the ground, is covered by a large cloak, the flap of which, draped over the torso in regular waves, is tucked under the left arm and wheel, forming a cascade of arabesque and "cornet" pleats. In his book (op. cit.), Paul Vitry dated Sainte Catherine to the 15th century, which seems too late to us, and a 14th century date would be more accurate. She has remained in the same illustrious and honourable French family since 1900 and her appearance on the market is a major event for collectors, connoisseurs and experts. Expert: Isabelle d'Amécourt art advisory