The Parker & Neal Mola Collection - Part 1
Lot 256:
Description
Panama (Guna Yala), circa 1970s
12.5 × 15 inches
Exceptional reverse appliqué, appliqué, and hand embroidery mola panel depicting a large frontal religious figure interpreted through the Guna visual tradition, combining Catholic iconography with indigenous artistic sensibility. The central figure presents long flowing hair rendered in dense multicolor linear embroidery outlined in lime green, with blue embroidered eyes, a white moustache worked in tight satin stitch, and a cross motif on the nose — a characteristic Guna sacred marking. The figure wears an ornate orange vestment collar decorated with appliquéd floral and oval elements, below which a field of multicolor S-scroll embroidery and a prominent black cross descend toward a central sacred heart motif: a crowned, flaming heart in black and pink with white dot-work and yellow-green chain stitch detailing, consistent with Catholic sacred heart iconography as absorbed into the Guna visual vocabulary. Both hands are rendered at large scale with white-tipped fingers in dense multicolor dot-work fill. Two flanking spirit attendant figures in traditional dress occupy the upper corners, one in green and one in blue, each with multicolor embroidered body patterning. Executed in three layers of red, pink, and black cotton, with extensive embroidered detailing throughout.
Provenance: From the Parker & Neal Collection.
Condition report:
Minor wear consistent with age. Vibrant color. One lower corner has fabric loss. 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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