Vintage Framed & Matted Original Watercolor Paintings of Mushrooms by Hazel Nauman

This lot consists of two vintage, framed, and matted original watercolor paintings by artist Hazel Nauman. Both artworks depict mushroom subjects, with one painting featuring a cluster of reddish-brown mushrooms amidst green foliage, and the other showcasing a variety of colorful mushrooms, some with a more fantastical appearance, alongside other plant elements. Each watercolor is encased within a gold-toned frame that appears to have a decorative, possibly braided or beaded, relief pattern around the inner and outer edges. The frames are rectangular, with the upper painting being horizontally oriented and the lower one vertically oriented, suggesting they might be of different dimensions, or one is simply a taller aspect ratio. Both paintings are matted with a dark teal or forest green mat board, which provides a striking contrast to the artwork and the gold frame. The visible portion of the artwork itself indicates fine brushwork typical of watercolor medium. Given the 'Vtg.' (vintage) designation in the title, these pieces likely date from several decades ago, possibly mid to late 20th century. There are no obvious signs of significant damage to the frames or the visible artwork, such as cracks, chips, or major discoloration, from the provided image. The overall appearance suggests good craftsmanship in both the painting and the framing.

Upon visual examination of the provided images, this pair of original watercolor paintings by Hazel Nauman presents in good vintage condition. The artworks, depicting mushroom subjects, showcase competent technique with vibrant colors, and the matting and framing appear to be in a well-preserved state, consistent with a mid to late 20th-century origin. Based on the images, there is no significant visible damage such as foxing, water stains, or fading to the paintings, nor are there major chips or cracks in the decorative gold-toned frames. The market for works by Hazel Nauman shows consistent but modest demand. Comparable sales for her original watercolors, particularly those of similar size and subject matter (botanicals), typically fall within the range provided. The subject of mushrooms is a popular decorative motif, which adds to their appeal. However, the value is primarily tied to their decorative quality rather than significant art historical importance or rarity, as Nauman was a prolific artist. It is crucial to note the limitations of an appraisal based on images alone. While the works appear consistent with Nauman's style, full authentication cannot be confirmed without in-person examination. A physical inspection would be required to verify the signatures, assess the paper's condition more closely for any subtle damage not visible in photos, and look for framer's labels or inscriptions on the verso that could provide provenance. Verifying the works against a catalogue raisonné, if one exists, or comparing signatures with known authentic examples would be necessary for definitive authentication.