Junk Ships Painting Appraisal

Mid-Century Seascape Painting of Junk Ships

This is an original oil or acrylic painting on canvas, likely dating from the mid-to-late 20th century. The artwork depicts a traditional Chinese junk ship in the foreground navigating calm waters during a vibrant sunset or sunrise. In the background, a silhouette of a maritime village or a fleet of similar vessels is visible. The color palette is dominated by warm earthen tones, including deep oranges, yellows, and ochres, contrasted by dark browns and blacks used to define the ships' hulls and sails. The painting employs a heavy impasto technique, particularly in the lower thirds, where thick applications of white and grey paint create the texture of cresting water. A white border, possibly a liner or part of the canvas treatment, frames the central image, which is then housed in a simple wooden frame. A signature appears in the lower right corner, transcribed as 'Salim' or similar, suggesting a Southeast Asian provenance, common for this style of decorative maritime art. The condition appears fair, with visible aging to the frame and minor surface dust, though no significant craquelure or paint loss is immediately apparent from the image. The style is characteristic of mid-century 'souvenir' or decorator art often produced for international markets.