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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 15 × 19 inches A bold and visually striking mola panel worked in three layers of reverse appliqué, appliqué, and embroidery depicting the label design from a box of Parrot Safety Matches, a Swedish brand widely distributed throughout Central America. A large parrot with outstretched wings dominates the center of the composition, rendered in vivid detail with a curved beak in yellow appliqué, a prominent circular eye, and densely striped plumage in alternating bands of green, pink, orange, yellow, blue, and black. The bird's talons are rendered in white appliqué, and the wings display layered feather forms with multicolored dash motifs throughout. A sweeping ribbon banner encircles the parrot, carrying the appliquéd text "PARROT" across the lower arc, "SAFETY MATCH" along the right, and "MADE IN SWEDEN" at the bottom — each letter individually cut and stitched in multicolored appliqué. The banner itself is worked in pink and orange with dense vertical dash filler motifs and a sawtooth edge in yellow. Surrounding the central oval composition, a border of multicolored triangular motifs in blue, green, orange, pink, yellow, turquoise, and white is scattered across the dark maroon/burgundy ground, creating a confetti-like effect. A small flower motif appears at the lower right of the banner. Worked on a dark maroon/burgundy cotton ground with three layers of reverse appliqué revealing black and pink/magenta beneath the ground. Orange appliqué outlines the major compositional elements. Fine hand-stitching throughout with consistent stitch density. Dense, fully filled composition with sophisticated cutwork in the lettering and figural elements. Red cotton backing visible on reverse. Single panel on dark maroon/burgundy cotton ground. This piece exemplifies the Guna tradition of incorporating commercial product labels and brand imagery into mola designs, transforming everyday printed ephemera into elaborate textile art. Matchbox labels were among the most commonly adapted commercial sources, their bold graphic designs translating readily into the reverse appliqué technique. A similar photo of this mola can be found on page 228 of MOLAS Folk Art of the Cuna Indians by Parker and Neal. 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

  • In House Shipping is available and we will combine for economy. We will charge a $5 per additional lot within the same box. All items are shipped with Insurance. In person pick up is also available in our Princeton, NJ Auction Facility.

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