The Parker & Neal Mola Collection - Part 1
Lot 70:
Description
Panama (Guna Yala), circa 1970s
15.5 × 16.5 inches
A traditional complete blouse featuring matched front and back mola panels worked in three layers of reverse appliqué, appliqué, and embroidery. Each panel presents a dominant lobster or crayfish figure with segmented body, splayed claws, and antennae, paired with smaller quadruped and bird forms. The lobsters are rendered in varied colorways across the four panels — green, pink, teal, blue, and orange — each outlined against the black ground with radiating parallel line fills in the surrounding red field. Other small animal figure forms occupy the spaces between the central creatures, and rectangular motifs with internal striping appear throughout. Bold cross or X-shaped corner elements anchor the outer borders of each panel. The geometric yoke band features a row of multicolored interlocking bracket forms worked in reverse appliqué against a black ground, bridging the floral print cotton yoke and the mola body. Fine hand-stitching throughout with consistent stitch density. Dense, fully filled compositions demonstrating strong compositional control across all four panels. Complete wearable blouse with drawstring neckline, floral print sleeves, and striped printed cotton hem band.
Provenance: From the Parker & Neal Collection
Condition report:
Minor wear consistent with age. Vibrant color. In house Flat Rate US Shipping of $15 for 1 -10 molas, $5 each additional 10 molas. Insurance is additional and required.
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