Panama (Guna Yala), circa 1970s
14 × 16 inches
A richly detailed narrative mola panel worked in three layers of reverse appliqué, appliqué, and embroidery depicting imagery derived from Dutch cocoa packaging or advertising. This piece exemplifies the Guna practice of translating observed commercial graphics—often from imported product labels, cans, and printed advertisements—into their textile tradition.
The composition is organized in horizontal registers within a sweeping curved border. Three large stylized birds dominate the upper field, each outlined in contrasting colors—blue, orange, and green—with bodies densely filled with rows of embroidered dot patterns in yellow, blue, and orange. These decorative bird motifs likely derive from the heraldic or ornamental imagery commonly found on Dutch cocoa tins and packaging. Smaller star-shaped forms are scattered among the birds, each embellished with embroidered details.
A central horizontal band presents a row of sailboats with masts and rigging rendered in appliqué and embroidery, alongside what appears to be a larger vessel or structure at the left—imagery consistent with the maritime and trading themes frequently depicted on Dutch colonial-era product packaging. Below, a dense, fully saturated field of multicolored V-shaped motifs in black creates a dynamic triangular pattern filled with contrasting colors—pink, blue, green, yellow, orange, and turquoise. Sinuous botanical forms weave through the lower register, possibly representing cacao plants or decorative flourishes from the original source material.
A bold concentric arc border frames the upper left, revealing successive layers of black, green, yellow, and blue beneath the red ground, edged with a zigzag sawtooth motif. Rectangular geometric border elements anchor the corners.
As characteristic of Guna textile tradition, the imagery is rendered from memory based on observed printed materials, resulting in a distinctly Guna interpretation that transforms commercial graphics into vibrant textile art.
Worked on deep red/magenta cotton ground with orange backing visible. Fine hand-stitching throughout with consistent stitch density. Exceptionally dense composition with virtually no negative space, demonstrating advanced technical control across multiple figural, geometric, and decorative elements.
Single panel on red cotton ground.
Provenance: From the Parker & Neal Collection
The information on this mola was updated based on information provided by Prudence Grissom, author of the soon to be published book "MOLAS: Past, Present & Future-the Enduring Art of the Guna/Kuna."
