Guna Mola Panel with Mythic Figure Grasping Human

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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 × 16.5 inches A dramatic narrative mola panel worked in 3 layers with reverse appliqué, appliqué, and embroidery depicting a large mythological figure dominating the composition, with a human clutched in its massive fist, a smaller armed human, and a primate — a vivid scene likely drawn from Guna oral tradition rendered on a red ground. The dominant central figure displays a fierce face in black appliqué with a green nose, embroidered whiskers, white-centered eyes, and a gaping mouth showing prominent white fangs. The head is topped with an embroidered cap of multicolored running stitches. Below the head, the torso displays horizontal banded elements in navy, green, teal, and orange, descending to a large rounded belly outlined in pink with internal hash-mark details. The creature's powerful arms extend outward, filled with rows of multicolored embroidered chevron stitches. One enormous fist grasps a small human figure, whose body and limbs are visible within the giant's grip — a striking depiction of supernatural power over the human realm. In the lower right, a smaller black human figure with outstretched limbs stands in an active stance, one arm raised bearing a weapon, suggesting a hunter or warrior confronting the mythic being. A small figure in black with pink outline and embroidered star-like eyes appears in the upper register, its compact body and limbs rendered with lively gestural energy. The upper left features the creature's other massive arm and fist, curving across the field in bold red and yellow bands with a spiral terminal. The lower left features a primate-like creature with raised hand. Bold colors detail his face and sharp white teeth highlight his open mouth. Worked on red cotton ground with layers in black, yellow, orange, blue, teal, green, pink, purple, and lavender. Fine hand-stitching throughout with consistent stitch density. Dense, fully filled composition with sophisticated cutwork featuring complex curves and elaborate embroidered chevron and running stitch details throughout. Multicolored parallel hash marks fill the background field. Single panel on red cotton ground. This piece presents a compelling mythological narrative — possibly depicting a scene from Guna cosmology in which a supernatural being captures a human while a hunter intervenes — rendered with exceptional compositional energy and storytelling power. 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.
• Shipping Info

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