Watercolor or print? /signed E. Welby

I purchased this as one of a pair back in 2010 in a thrift store. I sold one to a dealer which was of what I believe were colorful sparrows. What shows of the picture inside the matt is approximately 12" by 9", and the frame measures approximately 21" by 18". I found an artist named Ellen Welby from the late 1800s on line and some years back did see a postcard marked E. Welby with what I think might have been the same picture. It's behind glass, and I don't know how to tell if it's a watercolor or a print, or maybe even a pastel on paper. I can say that I have found no dots in the picture with a loupe. The paper is brittle and has darkened with age. I think the frame is nicely done with oak leaves and acorns. To be honest I'm not really sure what I'm looking at. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

I think you already found the artist
That is her signature. You might want to take it out of the frame and see if it is a painting.
Mikey

 

Thank you Mikey! I'm always nervous about taking things out of frames but will give it a go.

 

Thank you Mikey! I'm always nervous about taking things out of their frames but will give it a go.

 

That is a very nice frame.

Debora

 

It does look to be very brittle and torn.
Be very careful.

 

If this artwork is an original artwork or just loved, you will need to replace the mat and especially that wood backing with acid free materials.

It could be a chromolithographic print. They can look very natural.

https://en.todocoleccion.net/art-ch...cinco-pajaros-ppios-sxx~x36581312#descripcion

https://www.etsy.com/listing/480474...how_sold_out_detail=1&ref=nla_listing_details

https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/...ogue-id-2749625/archivelot-6176566#lotDetails

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-advertisement-for-raphael-tucks-door-panels-painted-by-ellen-welby-50087768.html?pv=1&stamp=2&imageid=7619EA57-F9D3-426A-8B46-2F996C6A38F3&p=19291&n=0&orientation=0&pn=1&searchtype=0&IsFromSearch=1&srch=foo=bar&st=0&pn=1&ps=100&sortby=2&resultview=sortbyPopular&npgs=0&qt=tuck%20tucks&qt_raw=tuck%20tucks&lic=3&mr=0&pr=0&ot=0&creative=&ag=0&hc=0&pc=&blackwhite=&cutout=&tbar=1&et=0x000000000000000000000&vp=0&loc=0&imgt=0&dtfr=&dtto=&size=0xFF&archive=1&groupid=&pseudoid=&a=&cdid=&cdsrt=&name=&qn=&apalib=&apalic=&lightbox=&gname=&gtype=&xstx=0&simid=&saveQry=&editorial=1&nu=&t=&edoptin=&customgeoip=&cap=1&cbstore=1&vd=0&lb=&fi=2&edrf=&ispremium=1&flip=0&pl=

 

Kingfishers, lovely birds.

 

The matting looks newer than the piece and frame.

Debora

 

Local kingfisher -

 

Quite different to European bird, yours has a Mohican!

 

I don’t blame you for being scared to open it up, but I’m sure Roaring 20s is right that acid free surroundings are preferable for preserving the piece…. Though I find the board on the back rather charming.

I also think Debora is right about the matting looking newer than the piece or the frame, but it looks to me like it’s double matted, and the inner matt might be older. And made by someone with less skill (look at the bottom right corner). That, combined with the remnants of paper on the back (which apparently was removed or damaged long enough ago for some of the wood to darken with age, there’s a distinct difference between that and the more recently exposed wood) makes me think that the newer looking matt was added significantly after the piece was originally framed, and/or when the piece was moved to the current lovely frame.

Being rather ignorant on this subject, I would be grateful for any thoughts and/or correction of my speculation.

 

I suspect a reframing as well. I wouldn't expect it to originally have had a mat.

Debora

 

Thanks! Maybe it was reframed more than once? I can’t tell for sure, but the inner mat looks to me like serious amateur hour, in that I used to have a piece with a corner that looked just like this, because I messed up cutting the mat.

 

I agree with chromolithograph, that would not have dots like an offset one. Looking at the tear, it does not have the appearance of watercolor paper.

 

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE that frame, even though I know that's not at issue here!!!!!!