Guna Mola Panel with Mythological Soulbird and Spirit World Narrative

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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 An exceptionally complex narrative mola panel worked in three layers of reverse appliqué, appliqué, and embroidery on a black cotton ground, depicting a richly populated mythological scene centered on the Guna soul bird. A large central bird dominates the composition, rendered in dynamic pose with outstretched blue-outlined wings, a prominent circular eye, a white striped chest, and splayed feet. The soul bird — a powerful figure in Guna spiritual tradition representing the soul's journey and transformation — is surrounded by an extraordinary array of spirit beings, animals, and symbolic motifs contained within a bold red and orange serpentine border. Across the upper register, a row of six bell-shaped motifs in purple, green, blue, and orange — each with embroidered clappers and cross motifs — hangs beneath a sweeping arc, suggesting a ceremonial or spiritual threshold. A small Panamanian flag rendered in blue, red, and white appliqué with a star occupies the upper left, while a sun face with multicolored embroidered features is framed within a rectangular panel at upper right. A second face motif in a yellow-outlined frame appears at left alongside a flower-like emblem. The surrounding field teems with spirit beings: a pink cat with embroidered whiskers and eyes perches at upper right; a green-outlined parrot with embroidered plumage sits at left center; a green star-shaped figure with a face, embroidered features, and a ruffled skirt stands at right — possibly a spirit doll or ceremonial figure. Below, a large spotted jaguar in purple with multicolored embroidered circle motifs prowls across the lower register. Flanking the composition, a green-outlined monkey or humanoid figure stands at far left, while a pink figure with embroidered details occupies the far right. A large quadruped with flowing hair, whiskers, and a spotted body appears at center right, its body densely filled with multicolored embroidered grid patterns. Scattered throughout are small embroidered filler motifs — circles, leaf shapes, S-curves, dashes, and cross-stitched stars — in a full spectrum of colors. Three layers of reverse appliqué reveal red and orange beneath the black ground, with concentric bands of color visible in the serpentine border. Fine hand-stitching throughout with consistent stitch density. Exceptionally dense, fully filled composition with no negative space, demonstrating advanced technical control and sophisticated iconographic layering. Red cotton backing visible on reverse. Single panel on black cotton ground. This masterwork panel presents a densely symbolic spirit-world narrative centered on the Guna soul bird, a figure central to Guna cosmology representing the soul's passage between realms. The profusion of spirit animals, ceremonial motifs, and the inclusion of the Panamanian flag reflect the cultural synthesis characteristic of the finest Guna textile art. A similar photo of this mola can be found on page 85 of MOLAS Folk Art of the Cuna Indians by Parker and Neal. Provenance: From the Parker & Neal Collection

  Condition

  Minor wear 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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