Marine oil painting signed 'FERN'

This is a horizontal oil painting depicting a naval battle or fleet maneuvering on choppy, dark green and grey-blue seas under a partly cloudy sky. The composition features several detailed multi-masted sailing ships, possibly of 18th- or 19th-century design, adorned with various flags including white banners with red crosses, reminiscent of British naval ensigns, and smaller Tricolor-like flags. The paint application exhibits visible brushwork and texture, particularly in the turbulent waves and billowing white sails. A signature reading 'FERN' is legibly painted in the lower right corner. The artwork is housed in a dark, ornate wooden frame with a beaded inner border and decorative carved patterns along the outer edge. The owner provides unverified context, claiming the signature is by an artist named Fern. The item remains unauthenticated, and the exact age, materials, and specific historical event depicted are unverified. The overall physical condition appears fair, with visible surface texture and standard aging consistent with framed canvas paintings.

Based on what I can see in the image, this horizontal oil painting depicts a naval battle scene with multi-masted sailing ships on turbulent seas and bears a signature reading 'FERN' in the lower right corner. The owner identifies this as an artwork by an artist named Fern. I can't verify from a photo whether the signature is contemporary to the painting or whether the piece is an autograph work, a later copy, or created in the style of a marine artist. Physical inspection would need to be conducted to confirm the medium's age, canvas condition, and the nature of the pigments. The estimate of $800 - $1,500 assumes the attribution to the named artist is correct. Marine paintings with comparable detail and period styling typically trade within this range under favorable market conditions. If the piece were determined to be a later reproduction, replica, or an unattributed decorative copy, the market value would likely decrease significantly, dropping closer to $150 - $300 based primarily on the decorative value of the frame and canvas. To establish a stronger basis for authenticity and potential value, the item would require in-person physical examination by a qualified fine art conservator, provenance documentation, and potential consultation with a specialist in 18th- or 19th-century maritime art.