Thank you for contacting Mearto. This is a Chinese painting of two pheasants and a pair of birds perched on a plum tree branch. Usually, paintings like this are ink on silk as you mentioned in your description. This one has an application of gloss or lacquer, which is unusual, but not impossible. I wonder if someone other than the artist chose to apply this as a protective measure.

The seals are typically of the artist or subsequent collectors or admirers of the work. I am unable to identify or match these.

The painting is extremely skillful. Comparisons with other works make me think it is definitely pre-20th century. It could be from the Qing or early Qing eras (1644 to 1912).

It is very important to note that Chinese paintings are often copies of earlier works, so dating is tricky. Still, the details and control of the brush are excellent, so it would be valuable nonetheless.

I urge you to reach out to a higher-end auction house for a second opinion. I believe Christie’s/ Sotheby’s/Bonhams/Beijing Polyauction may offer these services.

I want to emphasize that my estimate is conditional on authenticity, because prints are also very common, made for the export market. Based on this being a real painting, the Fair Market Value is between $1000 and $2000.