Panama (Guna Yala), circa 1960s
14.5 × 17 inches
A charming narrative mola panel worked in three layers of reverse appliqué, appliqué, and embroidery featuring two Santa Claus figures in a symmetrical arrangement. This whimsical composition demonstrates the Guna practice of incorporating outside imagery—often observed from magazines, advertisements, product packaging, or holiday decorations—into their textile tradition.
The panel depicts two standing Santa figures in profile, each rendered with the characteristic red suit and hood indicated by brilliant red fabric with elaborate decorative embroidery. The hoods are detailed with multicolored vertical line embroidery in yellow, orange, green, and blue, representing the maker’s interpretation of fur trim or decorative elements. The figures’ torsos are filled with dense embroidery in vertical striped patterns, suggesting the belted coat of the traditional Santa costume.
Each Santa figure carries or is associated with familiar holiday motifs: one holds a black cat rendered with decorative zigzag embroidery patterns, while another is accompanied by a stylized bird form. A small vessel or container appears between the figures. The background field is densely activated with vertical line embroidery in alternating colors—yellow, orange, pink, green, and blue—creating rhythmic texture throughout the composition.
As characteristic of Guna textile tradition, the imagery is rendered from memory based on observed printed materials, resulting in a distinctly Guna interpretation of the Western holiday figure. The three-layer construction creates subtle depth through color reveals, with red, black, and white as primary structural colors.
Worked on black cotton ground with layers in red, orange, yellow, green, pink, blue, and white. Three layers with fine hand-stitching throughout. Dense embroidery work in multiple colors creating textural fill patterns. Complex curved cutwork in hood and body forms. Strong symmetrical composition.
Single panel on black cotton ground with red and pink backing visible. Decorative yellow rickrack trim at top edge.
Provenance: From the Parker & Neal Collection
THIS IS AN UPDATED DESCRIPTION BASED ON INFORMATION GENEROUSLY PROVIDED BY PRUDENCE GRISSOM, AUTHOR OF A SOON TO PUBLISHED BOOK "Molas: Past, Present & Future—the Enduring Art of the Guna/Kuna"
