KOVELS: Artist without arms produced ‘mouth cut’ silhouettes | Community
A recent catalog gave a description of a figure as “cut to the mouth”. Martha Ann Honeywell (1786-1856) was a disabled artist who cut figures and did needlework without using her hands. She was born without hands or forearms, and she was also missing two toes. She could cut and paste, thread a needle, embroider and write using her mouth, toes and upper arms.
Honeywell has played in the United States and Europe for almost 60 years. She charged 25 cents for a silhouette that she “cut out” from black paper, pasted onto a white background, and signed in ink. Two pieces of embroidery, one bearing the Our Father in ink, framed with a silhouette, were auctioned for $ 1,560 last year. A Honeywell beanie silhouette of a woman was valued between $ 400 and $ 800 in another sale, but it did not sell.
Terry Kovel and Kim Kovel answer readers’ questions sent to the column. Send a letter with a question describing the size, material (glass, pottery) and what you know about the item. Include only two pictures, the object and a close-up of any marks or damage. Make sure your name and return address are included. By submitting a question you are giving full permission to use any Kovel product. Names, addresses or e-mail addresses will not be published. We do not guarantee return of photographs, but if a stamped envelope is included, we will try. The questions you answered will appear in Kovels Publications. Write to Kovels, The Daily Times, King Features Syndicate, 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803 or email us at [email protected]
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