Guna Mola Panel with Spiritual Iconography

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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 1960s-1970s 13.5 × 17 inches A spiritually evocative mola panel worked in three layers of reverse appliqué, appliqué, and embroidery featuring a complex arrangement of symbolic forms suggesting cosmological themes. The composition presents multiple interacting elements creating a densely packed narrative tableau that demonstrates sophisticated iconographic storytelling. The panel is organized around several key motifs distributed across a black ground. Dominating the composition is a spiritual figure with distinctive facial features rendered in white appliqué eyes and geometric body forms. This suggests narrative content—possibly depicting a spiritual journey, mythological event, or shamanic vision. The color palette employs vibrant contrasts between red, orange, yellow, green, blue, pink, and white against the black ground. Concentric layering creates depth in key areas, with careful color sequencing revealing underlying hues at strategic points. Decorative embroidery in contrasting colors adds surface texture and detail, particularly in zigzag, running stitch, and outline work that enhances the forms and creates visual rhythm across the panel. The three-layer construction allows for deliberate color reveals while maintaining structural integrity across the complex cutwork. Fine hand-stitching is evident throughout, with particularly tight work visible in the curved contours of anthropomorphic figures and the precise edges of geometric forms. The maker has demonstrated advanced skill in integrating multiple iconographic elements into a unified composition without sacrificing clarity or visual balance. This piece exemplifies the spiritual and cosmological dimensions of traditional Guna mola art, where textile panels serve as vehicles for expressing beliefs about the supernatural world, shamanic power, and the relationship between earthly and celestial realms. The complexity of the iconography suggests this panel was created by a knowledgeable maker working within established spiritual and artistic traditions. Worked on black cotton ground with layers in red, orange, yellow, green, blue, pink, and white. Three layers with fine, consistent hand-stitching throughout. Complex curved cutwork and nested geometric forms. Decorative embroidery in multiple colors adding surface detail and rhythm. Strong compositional control with integrated multiple symbolic elements. Single panel on black cotton ground with red cotton backing visible. This piece exemplifies the narrative and spiritual storytelling capacity of traditional Guna mola art, combining masterful technical execution with rich symbolic content. Provenance: From the Parker & Neal Collection

  Condition

  Vibrant color condition with 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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