Guna Mola Panel with Central Spirit Figure

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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 13 × 17.5 inches A mola panel worked in three layers of reverse appliqué, appliqué, and embroidery featuring a central standing figure flanked by two birds in the upper register and two interlocking serpentine forms in the lower register. The strongly symmetrical composition presents a hieratic arrangement suggesting cosmological or spiritual significance. The central figure is rendered in dark appliqué with blue outline, standing frontally with outstretched arms and splayed feet. The figure wears a distinctive headdress or crown with green and yellow pointed tips, and features small embroidered star-like eyes and a cross motif at the chest. Blue channels define the body's internal structure, revealing cutwork openings at the hips and along the torso. The figure's rigid, formal posture and cruciform pose suggest a nele (shaman) or spirit being from Guna cosmological tradition. Two large birds flank the figure in the upper register, facing outward in profile. Each is outlined in turquoise and orange concentric channels, with bodies filled with multicolored vertical dash appliqué — blue on the left bird and pink and white on the right. Each bird has a prominent eye rendered with radiating embroidered stitch work — yellow on the left and lavender on the right. Their outstretched wings merge with the stepped geometric border elements that frame the upper composition. Worked on deep red cotton ground with layers in black, turquoise, orange, blue, yellow, green, pink, white, and purple. Three-layer construction with consistent hand-stitching throughout. Embroidered eye details on birds and figure. Curved and angular cutwork in the serpentine forms and bird contours. Balanced bilateral composition with strong central axis. Single panel on red cotton ground with red backing visible. This piece combines zoomorphic, anthropomorphic, and abstract elements in a unified cosmological composition, reflecting the layered spiritual world of Guna tradition. Provenance: From the Parker & Neal Collection

  Condition

  Minor wear and fading 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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