Hazel Arnett Bird And Peach Watercolor Painting In Ornate Oval Frame Appraisal

Hazel Arnett Bird and Peach Watercolor Painting in Ornate Oval Frame

This item is a refined watercolor and gouache painting on paper, attributed to artist Hazel Arnett, depicting a songbird perched on a blossoming peach tree branch. The avian subject, possibly a mockingbird or similar songbird, is shown with its beak open in song, featuring delicate feathering in shades of white, grey, and black. The surrounding foliage and fruit are rendered in soft greens and warm peachy-pinks, exhibiting a botanical illustration style. The artwork is housed in a highly decorative, vintage-style oval wood or composite frame. The frame features a cream-colored distressed finish with darker antiquing in the crevices, adorned with ornate rococo-style scrollwork, floral motifs, and a beaded inner border. A double-oval matting creates a sense of depth, with the inner matting following the contour of the artwork. The condition appears fair to good for its age; the frame shows intentional distressing but may have minor stabilization issues in the plaster or composite details typical of mid-20th-century decorative pieces. The paper shows slight yellowing, consistent with light exposure over time, which adds a vintage patina. The craftsmanship reflects the decorative arts style popular in the mid-1900s, characterized by a blend of traditional botanical accuracy and romanticized framing.