Guna Mola Panel with Nativity Scene (Nacimiento del Jesús)

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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 × 15 inches A remarkable narrative mola panel worked in 2 layers with reverse appliqué, appliqué, and embroidery depicting the Nativity of Christ — titled in appliquéd letters reading "NACIMINTO DEL JESU" (Nacimiento del Jesús) along a vertical staff or column at center. This densely populated composition exemplifies the Guna tradition of interpreting Christian iconography through indigenous textile art, a practice influenced by missionary contact and the syncretic blending of Catholic and Guna spiritual traditions. The central scene presents the Holy Family gathered around a manger or cradle rendered in green and yellow at the lower center. The infant Jesus lies within, depicted with embroidered features and outstretched arms. To the left, Joseph is shown in profile facing right, wearing a large blue and multicolored striped hat and a dark garment filled with rows of multicolored embroidered running stitches, one hand extended toward the child. To the right, Mary kneels facing left, her head covered in a veil rendered in a distinctive grid pattern of multicolored embroidered cross-hatching in pink, blue, white, and yellow, her face shown in profile with embroidered features. Rising from the center behind the manger, a tall column or staff supports the Star of Bethlehem at its apex — rendered as a pointed star form with concentric embroidered web-like details and a central cross motif, radiating orange and yellow. Two winged angels occupy the upper corners, each depicted as a dark face with embroidered features framed within a large rainbow-arched halo rendered in concentric bands of green, yellow, red, pink, blue, and orange. Dark wings with multicolored embroidered striations extend from each side. At the far left and far right edges, two additional figures — likely shepherds or Magi — stand facing inward. Each wears a distinctive black and white horizontally striped garment and holds an object extending toward the central scene, possibly gifts or musical instruments. Their small faces display embroidered features beneath dark hair. The entire background field is densely scattered with multicolored triangular appliqué elements in blue, teal, green, yellow, orange, pink, white, and purple, each individually outlined in black, creating a celebratory, star-filled sky effect surrounding the sacred scene. The lower register features green leaf-like forms with green dotted fill, suggesting foliage or the ground of the stable setting. Worked on dark maroon-burgundy cotton ground with layers in black, green, yellow, orange, blue, pink, white, and teal. Fine hand-stitching throughout with consistent stitch density. Dark backing visible on the reverse. Single panel on dark maroon-burgundy cotton ground. This piece represents an outstanding example of Guna religious syncretism in textile art — the Christian Nativity narrative fully absorbed into Guna visual language, rendered with the same technical mastery and exuberant color applied to traditional mythological subjects. The inclusion of Spanish text, the rainbow-haloed angels, and the characteristically Guna treatment of faces and garments create a composition that is simultaneously devotional and distinctly indigenous. 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.
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