Guna Mola Panel with Anthropomorphic Lace-Up Shoes

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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 15.75 × 18 inches A whimsical mola panel worked in 2 layers with reverse appliqué, appliqué, and embroidery depicting two large lace-up shoes rendered with expressive human facial features — a playful subject drawn from the Guna tradition of interpreting everyday commercial objects encountered through trade and Western contact. Two smaller shoes appear between the principal forms, one at top center and one at bottom center. Each of the two main shoes is enclosed within rounded, concentric ovoid frames rendered in multiple color bands of black, green, orange, and yellow. The shoe tongues are rendered as stylized hair or headpieces — the left shoe in green and black appliqué, the right in blue — lending each a distinct personality. Below the tongues, prominent eyes, noses, and smiling mouths are embroidered onto the vamps, transforming the footwear into animated characters. The faces are filled with dense rows of multicolored embroidered running stitches suggesting the textured surface of the shoe leather. Each shoe displays a bow at the throat rendered in appliqué — one in purple and blue, the other in yellow and green — with crossed lacing extending down the body of each shoe in contrasting diamond patterns. The two smaller interstitial shoes each display a simplified face with embroidered features and zigzag embroidered lacing in yellow and orange thread, echoing the larger forms in miniature. Worked on red cotton ground with layers in black, green, orange, yellow, blue, purple, pink, and brown. The background field is densely filled with multicolored parallel hash marks in varied color sequences. Fine hand-stitching throughout with consistent stitch density. Elaborate embroidered details enrich the faces and decorative elements. Single panel on red cotton ground with black backing visible on the reverse. This piece exemplifies the Guna practice of transforming Western consumer goods into spirited compositions, imbuing commercial footwear with personality and humor through the addition of human features — a hallmark of mid-century mola art reflecting cross-cultural exchange. A photo of a similar mola can be found on page 193 of MOLAS Folk Art of the Cuna Indians by Parker and Neal Provenance: From the Parker & Neal Collection

  Condition

  Minor wear consistent with age. Vibrant color. 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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