The Parker & Neal Mola Collection - Part 1
Lot 164:
Description
Panama (Guna Yala), circa 1970s
15.5 × 16 inches
Reverse appliqué mola panels worked in three layers of black, yellow, and red cotton, each featuring a large confronting anthropomorphic figure interpreted as Santa Claus, rendered in bold orange outline against a black ground, with dome-shaped hat, a prominent white eye, boot-like forms at the base, and an elaborate sack with small figures, vessels, and zoomorphic elements in blue, pink, green, and yellow. A five-pointed star motif occupies the center field between the figures. Surrounding ground densely filled with multicolored vertical and horizontal embroidered bar elements throughout. The composition reflects the well-documented Guna tradition of absorbing and reinterpreting Western commercial imagery — including Santa Claus encountered through magazines and advertising — into the mola tradition. Techniques include reverse appliqué, appliqué, and embroidery. Applied to a full adult blouse constructed with bright pink commercial floral-print cotton body fabric, yellow ric-rac trim at the yoke, black sleeve bands, and brown border at the hem.
Provenance: From the Parker & Neal Collection.
Condition report:
Minor wear 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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