Martha Anne Honeywell (American, 1786-1856) folk art needlework vignette depicting a floral spray of white flowers rendered in silk on paper. Inscribed: "Needlework done with the Mouth by Martha A Honeywell". Front of wooden frame carved with the date MDCCCXLIV (1844) and also dated 1844 en verso along the upper stretcher. Sight: 4" H x 3" W. Framed: 5 1/2" H x 4 1/2" W. Note: Martha Ann Honeywell became a distinguished and well-known silhouette artist of the 19th century despite having been born without hands or forearms. She had only three toes on one foot, which she used, along with her mouth, to write and embroider, often during public appearances which took her across the Eastern half of the country. Her work is in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Smithsonian, and the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum.

CONDITION: Losses and splitting to paper backing along the upper margin and right margin with some dampstaining to the upper right corner together with overall toning to the paper. The frame with scattered abrasions and losses, mostly to corners and right side.