Martha Ann Honeywell (born about 1787 and died after 1848) was born in Lempster New Hampshire with only the first joints of her arms and with only three toes in one foot. Yet, despite this significant handicap, Miss Honeywell announced herself to be a profile cutter in 1806 and continued to do so until 1848. Her silhouettes are not like the highly sophisticated work of her counterparts. And it is clear why: She cut and pasted her silhouettes exactly as she describes in her signature to her pieces -- "Cut with the Mouth by M. A. Honeywell".  That is exactly what we read in her signature in the pieces offered here. She also sometimes signed pieces "Cut without hands by M.A. Honeywell”. 
 
Scholarship indicates that most of Miss Honeywell's silhouettes were plain, but a few gilded examples have been recorded. The pair offered here are the rarer type as they are accentuated with gold paint. The pieces are naïvely cut and decorated. The woman wears a cap of the early 19th c and likely has her hair gathered up into a bun inside the cap; her dress has edged with lace. He is a dapper young man with hair carefully combed; he wears a craveat and suit coat with buttons. Both show the curved bust termination that is associated with Miss Honeywell's work. 
 
Like many itinerant silhouettists, she used the least expensive paper available. She also apparently sold her silhouettes without frames. The result is that most of her work is stained or even torn. The examples offered here are not torn but there is generalized darkening/staining of the paper and localized staining to the right of the sihouette of the woman. As mentioned previously, both are signed with "Cut with the mouth by M.A. Honeywell". The frames here are simple with some staining and nicks at the corners; the glass is old in both frames. The frames are approximately 4.5" x 5.5"; sight size is approximately 3" x 4" and each has a ring hanger at the top of the frame.  Miss Honeywell's work is highly sought after.  Offered here are a rare pair of M.A. Honeywell silhouettes in very good condition.