Guna Mola Panel Depicting the Panama Canal

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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 1960s 15.75 × 19 inches A remarkable political mola panel worked in three layers of reverse appliqué, appliqué, and embroidery depicting a ship traversing the Panama Canal alongside national symbols against a dark grey/black ground. This densely composed narrative panel combines maritime, governmental, and figurative elements in a visual commentary on Panamanian sovereignty during the Canal Zone era. The central composition features a large ship. The word "CANAL" appears in multicolored appliqué letters beside the vessel, confirming the maritime subject. An elongated oval with a diagonal line through it may represent a compass or navigational instrument associated with the ship's passage. Dominating the left side of the composition, a large reversed numeral "62" — rendered in concentric bands of red, orange, yellow, green, pink, and purple with zigzag embroidery borders — likely references the year 1962, a period of escalating Panamanian tensions over sovereignty of the Canal Zone that would culminate in the flag riots of January 1964. The numbers are rendered in mirror image, characteristic of the Guna maker's visual interpretation of observed numerals. In the upper center, an hourglass-shaped outline in pink and red with orange channel lines represents the Isthmus of Panama, anchoring the composition geographically. At the upper right, a structured figure outlined in red and yellow contains three significant elements stacked vertically: a Panamanian flag rendered in its correct quartered pattern of blue, white, and red; embroidered scales of justice in purple thread on a red ground, symbolizing law and governance; and a small rectangular frame containing a miniature figure, possibly representing governmental authority. Along the bottom register, a red banner bordered in yellow contains multicolored appliqué letters reading "PANAMA," flanked by two small standing figures rendered in red appliqué with yellow and green outlines, each with a bird-like head, embroidered eye, and one arm raised. These figures, common in Guna iconography, may represent guardians or sentinels of national identity. The field is densely activated throughout with rows of short multicolored vertical dashes in orange, pink, purple, white, yellow, green, blue, and turquoise, creating rhythmic visual texture. The combination of canal ship, reversed date, national flag, scales of justice, isthmus silhouette, and textual proclamation creates a powerful statement of Panamanian national consciousness during a pivotal period in the country's struggle for canal sovereignty. Worked on black cotton ground with red and orange layers. Fine hand-stitching throughout with extensive zigzag chain-stitch embroidery. Pink grosgrain ribbon trim visible along the upper edge. Red cotton backing. Provenance: From the Parker & Neal Collection

  Condition

  Wear and fading indicate use consistent with age. 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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