The Parker & Neal Mola Collection - Part 1
Lot 264:
Description
Panama (Guna Yala), circa 1960s
13.5 × 15.5 inches
Reverse appliqué mola panel depicting the Crucifixion, the cross inscribed above the figure’s head with the Guna phonetic rendering “EZUCRISTO” — a transliteration of Jesucristo that places this firmly within the documented tradition of Guna makers absorbing and reinterpreting Christian missionary imagery through their own visual and linguistic framework. The crucified figure is rendered in black with green striped robes, white-framed face with embroidered features, long hair indicated by yellow stitching, and a crown of radiating white marks; the horizontal arms of the cross are filled with a dense herringbone chevron band in black, green, and blue. Below the figure, a pointed black loincloth panel contains a suspended purple ring and dense contour stitching. The cross itself is built up in multiple concentric outlines of magenta, pink, blue, and green against the deep burgundy ground. Flanking the cross, two boldly outlined spirit figures stand at attention — the left in blue on burgundy, the right in yellow on burgundy — each with embroidered interior detailing possibly representing attendant supernatural beings. The upper register features four framed panels each containing multicolored X-cross forms. Scattered X motifs and geometric fills animate the remaining ground throughout. Executed in four layers of orange, burgundy, black, and blue cotton, with extensive supplemental appliqué and hand embroidery throughout.
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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