The Parker & Neal Mola Collection - Part 1
Lot 131:
Description
Panama (Guna Yala), circa 1960s
14.5 x 17.25 inches each
Matched pair of reverse appliqué mola panels, each depicting four large sun faces arranged symmetrically in a grid. Each face is rendered within a circular medallion surrounded by radiating flame-like rays in slit-cut red and yellow over a gray ground. The faces feature expressive embroidered and appliquéd details including arched pink brows, wide white eyes with dark pupils, a prominent yellow nose, red lips, and teardrop-shaped cheek markings in orange. Each face is encircled by a beaded border worked in raised French knots in alternating pink, teal, and blue. Diamond-shaped spaces between the medallions are filled with nested triangle cutwork in red, yellow, blue, and teal, with additional triangle motifs filling the corner spandrels. Worked in three layers of red, gray, and black cotton with additional appliqué and embroidery accents throughout. Fully saturated composition with complex curved cutwork and no negative space. Dense hand-stitching throughout.
A similar photo of these molas can be found on page 14 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, as well as, a few holes. 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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