The Parker & Neal Mola Collection - Part 1
Lot 439:
Description
Group of 4 molas with reverse appliqué, applique, and hand embroidery, 3 layers.
Panama (Guna Yala), circa 1960s, 16 x 21 inches
A densely composed red-ground mola featuring multiple stylized parrots surrounding a central oval cartouche bearing the embroidered text “PARROT SAFETY SWEDEN” — a classic example of the commercial-label genre in which Guna artists incorporated words and logos from trade goods such as matchboxes into their textile work. This well-documented practice reflects the Guna’s creative engagement with outside commerce, transforming brand imagery into a distinctly indigenous visual language. A similar photo of this mola can be found on page 228 of MOLAS Folk Art of the Cuna Indians by Parker and Neal.
Panama (Guna Yala), circa 1970s, 17.5 x 23 inches
A large symmetrical insect rendered in green, pink, and orange against a deep red ground, its wing panels filled with oval seed-pod or eye-shaped forms and a horizontally banded central body in blue and multicolor. .
Panama (Guna Yala), circa 1960s, 16.5 x 22 inches
A bold red-ground composition dominated by a large black-bodied fish — possibly a shark or reef fish — its interior packed with densely stitched multicolor horizontal dash-work suggesting iridescent scales, flanked by two smaller fish.
Panama (Guna Yala), circa 1960s, 14 x 19 inches
A striking black-ground mola featuring a large frontal zoomorphic figure rendered in purple and pink with yellow and orange accenting, its body interior filled with rectangular panels of multicolor zigzag and dash elements.
Provenance: From the Parker & Neal Collection.
Condition report:
Parrot Safety Match mola is in poor condition. The other molas in this group display varying fading, wear, holes etc. 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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