Silhouette Portrait of a Gentleman

Description:

Silhouette Portrait of a Gentleman, Martha Anne Honeywell, early 19th century, inscribed "Cut with the mouth by M.A. Honeywell" below, cut and paste paper bust-length profile portrait of a gentleman, (toning, tears),3 7/8 x 3 in., in a later grain-painted frame.

Note: Martha Anne Honeywell was born around 1787 in Lempster, New Hampshire. She was born with only the first joints of both arms, and one foot with three toes. She cut profiles by holding the paper with her toes and the scissors with her mouth. She cut her silhouettes as she traveled along the Eastern seaboard states of America and to Europe. She also offered finely stitched needlepoint watch papers and wrote tiny verse with her mouth.
Estimate $400-600

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