A relatively recent addition to EGA’s collection, this embroidery on paper was created around 1840 by artist and performer Martha Ann Honeywell. Honeywell was born in 1787 with no hands or forearms and only three toes on one foot. She made a career for herself touring the US and Europe cutting silhouettes, embroidering flowers as in this example, and writing in miniature all with the use of only her toes and mouth. Her embroidery performances included threading her own needles.
The piece, including the frame, measures 4.5″ x 5.5″ and has “1844” carved in Roman numerals at the bottom.
There is an entry on Martha Ann Honeywell in the Encyclopedia of American Folk Art published by The American Folk Art Museum.
Embroidered with the mouthThis embroidery on paper was created around 1840 by artist Martha Ann Honeywell.
Embroidered with the mouthThis embroidery on paper was created around 1840 by artist Martha Ann Honeywell.
Embroidered with the mouthThis embroidery on paper was created around 1840 by artist Martha Ann Honeywell.
