Featured Late 19th C watercolour identification

Hi all, I’m thinking this is late 19th century based on the frame but no clue as to the location or artist.
Possibly New Zealand or Europe or Japan? Bought in Australia.
The detail and work is excellent, but no signature I can find. The painting measures 21cm x 30 and frame is 55cm x 45cm.
Any clues or leads appreciated.

 

Do you not want to liberate it from that frame? You may find that the mat is hiding a sig...and more paint.

The back is pretty roached anyhow, and if your intentions are to try and salvage it, you'd be doing it a favor by replacing the mat and backing.

Looks like there could be some writing on the back in the middle by the wire, too, unless it's just scribble.

 

There are so many similars on the internet that I would suspect yours is "chocolate box" art. Excellent suggestion above.

Debora

 

I’m loathe to touch it until I can be sure to conserve it but yes, do want to do that.

 

Thanks, it could well be although the light and detail are really well done, a lot of effort and skill…might just be a very gifted chocolate box artist!

 

The yellowing of the paper has darkened the transparently painted areas while the parts where opaque white has been used have retained their original lightness.

This is what gives it a rather brash chocolate box look.

 

To my eye, it's the execution, not the condition, that might put it in the category of "chocolate box art."

Debora

 

The present framing materials are literally burning the art to death because of the acidic materials used to mount and mat it-the longer it stays in the present frame the more it degrades.It also looks like it's got some mildew spotting & the papers darkened.
Can you get Us a few micro-closeup pics of the image.Might be a WC w/ gouache highlights (snow,etc). There's a slim poss it could be a print of some kind.
@mirana @verybrad

 

Agree with a late 19th to early 20th century date. Probably no later than 1920. No idea what kind of art to expect in Australia so really no idea of origin. Agree that this needs to be removed from frame and matting for some possible clues and for conservation.

 

Many thanks