The Parker & Neal Mola Collection - Part 1
Lot 129:
Description
Panama (Guna Yala), circa 1960s
14.5 x 16.5 inches each
Matched pair of reverse appliqué mola panels, each depicting five bats with outstretched wings arranged symmetrically across the composition — two large bats at top, a smaller bat at center, and two large bats below. Each bat is rendered with pointed ears, embroidered red eyes, bared teeth, and clawed feet, with wing membranes indicated by fine embroidered lines. The bats’ bodies are filled with rows of multicolored slit-cut dots in green, pink, orange, blue, yellow, and purple against the black ground. Worked in three layers of black, red, and green cotton with additional appliqué and embroidery accents throughout. Colorful slit-cut bars fill the surrounding field. Decorative border with rickrack trim at top edge and layered fabric bands at bottom. Dense hand-stitching throughout.
A similar photo of this mola can be found on page 47 of MOLAS Folk Art of the Cuna Indians by Parker and Neal.
Provenance: From the Parker & Neal Collection.
Condition report:
Minor wear and fading consistent with age. 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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