Guna Mola Panel with Cat Figure Holding Bird between Twin Serpentine Creatures

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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 16.5 × 18.5 inches A complex narrative mola panel worked in 3 layers with reverse appliqué, appliqué, and embroidery depicting a central anthropomorphic cat figure flanked by two large, mirrored serpentine creatures in a densely composed symmetrical arrangement on a dark navy-black ground. The central figure displays a broad face with pointed ears, large orange-outlined eyes with white pupils, a blue nose ridge, and a smiling mouth showing teeth, the face filled with rows of embroidered running stitches. The figure holds a small bird or parrot at its chest, rendered in teal and red with detailed wing and beak elements worked in appliqué and embroidery. Below the bird, the figure's body descends into a vertical column of vivid multicolored stripes in purple, yellow, orange, teal, red, and green, suggesting ceremonial dress or a rainbow motif. The two flanking creatures mirror each other with massive, labyrinthine bodies formed by continuous serpentine bands in red outlined with yellow, creating maze-like striped patterns. Each creature's head appears at the upper outer edge with a crown-like crest and open jaw showing teeth rendered in white and red zigzag appliqué. Within the curving space of each creature's body, a single large eye motif with radiating petal-like embroidered lashes is surrounded by rows of multicolored seed or coffee-bean shaped embroidered elements in blue, green, purple, orange, and pink — possibly representing vision, fertility, or abundance. Worked on black cotton ground with layers in red, yellow, orange, teal, blue, pink, purple, and green. Fine hand-stitching throughout with consistent stitch density. Dense, fully filled composition with sophisticated cutwork featuring complex serpentine curves, nested geometric forms, and elaborate embroidered details throughout. Strong bilateral symmetry with precise compositional control. Single panel on dark ground with red cotton backing visible at the lower edge. This piece demonstrates advanced multi-figure narrative composition, combining a central spiritual figure with flanking guardian creatures in a cosmological scene of exceptional visual power and technical accomplishment. 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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