Guna Mola Matched Pair with Abstract Animal Figures

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The Parker & Neal Mola Collection - Part 1

By Dana Auctions LLC

May 16, 2026

Set Reminder 2026-05-16 11:00:00 2026-05-16 11:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : The Parker & Neal Mola Collection - Part 1 https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/dana-auctions-llc/the-parker-neal-mola-collection---part-1-23111
The Parker-Neal Mola Collection Auction on May 16 presents a compelling selection of molas drawn from the renowned collection of Ann Parker and Avon Neal, co-authors of Molas: Folk Art of the Cuna Indians. This first offering has been thoughtfully curated to highlight some of the most interesting and visually striking examples from their extensive holdings. Dana Auctions LLC dana@danaauctions.com

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• Lot Description
  Panama (Guna Yala), circa 1970s 17 × 19 inches (each panel) A matched pair of mola panels worked in three layers of reverse appliqué, appliqué, and embroidery featuring a lively multi-figure composition of stylized animals. A large central creature — possibly a frog or lizard — dominates each panel with splayed limbs and a round body filled with rows of vertical slits in orange and yellow. The figure's head is rendered with two square embroidered eyes with black and white centers. Surrounding it, multiple birds and smaller animals populate the field in a dynamic, interlocking arrangement. Each bird is depicted in profile with a curving body, pointed beak, and a distinctive round eye worked in teal embroidery with a black and white center. The birds' bodies contain rows of vertical slits in alternating colors — yellow, orange, pink, teal, and blue. The interstices are filled with a rich vocabulary of secondary motifs including nested rectangles, shield-shaped forms, triangles, and S-curved elements in black, blue, pink, purple, teal, and orange. Rows of yellow and orange vertical slits run throughout the ground, creating continuous visual energy across both panels. Worked on deep red cotton ground with layers in yellow, orange, black, blue, teal, pink, and purple. Fine hand-stitching throughout with consistent stitch density. Dense, fully filled compositions with the figures interlocking across the entire field. Rickrack trim along the upper edges. Handwoven cotton yoke along the lower edges. Matched pair on red cotton ground with red cotton backing. Provenance: From the Parker & Neal Collection

  Condition

  Minor wear and fading consistent with age are visible along with a few small spots and an area with loose applique/stitching. 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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