The Parker & Neal Mola Collection - Part 1
Lot 309:
Description
Panama (Guna Yala), circa 1950s
11 inches
Hand-carved wooden nuchu or uchu medicine doll with a substantial cylindrical body tapering slightly toward the base and a sensitively modeled head featuring heavy-lidded almond eyes, a long straight nose, prominent rounded cheeks, and a slightly parted mouth. The figure is dressed in a sleeveless handwoven tunic worked in bold vertical stripes of purple and cream, embellished across the lower body with supplementary-weft embroidery in orange and blue geometric banding. Nuchukana are sacred spirit figures carved from specific woods and called upon by Guna neles (shamans/medicine people) to house helper spirits who assist in healing ceremonies and protective rituals.
Provenance: From the Parker & Neal Collection.
Condition report:
Vertical spit in wood down center of body. Discoloration and worn areas on tunic. In house Flat Rate US Shipping of $15 for 1 -10 molas, $5 each additional 10 molas. Insurance is additional and required.
Share this lot:
