Guna Mola Panel with Island Life Scene

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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 14 × 16 inches A richly detailed narrative mola panel worked in three layers of reverse appliqué, appliqué, and embroidery depicting a vibrant scene of daily life in the San Blas Islands. The composition is organized in horizontal registers within a sweeping curved border. Three large stylized birds dominate the upper field, each outlined in contrasting colors — blue, orange, and green — with bodies densely filled with rows of embroidered dot patterns in yellow, blue, and orange. Smaller star-shaped animal forms are scattered among the birds, each embellished with embroidered details. A central horizontal band presents a row of sailboats with masts and rigging rendered in appliqué and embroidery, alongside what appears to be a larger vessel or structure at the left. Below, the water is represented by a dense, fully saturated field of multicolored V-shaped motifs in black, creating a dynamic triangular pattern filled with contrasting colors — pink, blue, green, yellow, orange, and turquoise. Sinuous botanical forms weave through the lower register. A bold concentric arc border frames the upper left, revealing successive layers of black, green, yellow, and blue beneath the red ground, edged with a zigzag sawtooth motif. Rectangular geometric border elements anchor the corners. Worked on deep red/magenta cotton ground with orange backing visible. Fine hand-stitching throughout with consistent stitch density. Exceptionally dense composition with virtually no negative space, demonstrating advanced technical control across multiple figural, geometric, and decorative elements. Single panel on red cotton ground. Provenance: From the Parker & Neal Collection

  Condition

  Minor wear consistent with age. Vibrant colors. In house Flat Rate US Shipping of $15 for 1 -10 molas, $5 each additional 10 molas. Insurance is additional and required.
• Shipping Info

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