Guna Mola Panel with Twin Spiritual Figures

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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 × 18.5 inches An impressive mola panel worked in four layers of reverse appliqué, appliqué, and embroidery featuring two mirrored spiritual figures with outstretched arms in a powerful symmetrical composition. Each figure displays a stylized face with white appliqué eyes and an open mouth, flanked by radiating wing-like arms decorated with dense chevron embroidery in orange and white. The torsos are vertically striped — the left figure in green and the right in blue — each with two yellow circular elements at the chest and a large burgundy heart-shaped or seed-shaped form at the abdomen, embellished with white zigzag embroidery. The legs terminate in splayed, three-toed feet rendered with embroidered detail. The figures are enveloped by multiple concentric bands in magenta, orange, yellow, and black that echo their body contours, creating a dynamic radiating effect suggesting spiritual energy or transformation. The composition is framed by bold stepped geometric borders with pink parallel line fill in the lower register and rectangular accent elements in blue, green, white, and yellow along the outer edges. Small triangular and diamond-shaped forms punctuate the spaces between the figures, providing compositional balance. The mirrored arrangement and butterfly-like posture of the figures suggest cosmological or mythological significance, possibly representing nuchukana (spirit helpers) or protective beings from Guna spiritual tradition. The deliberate color differentiation between the two figures — one rendered in green tones and the other in blue — may indicate complementary or dualistic spiritual forces. Worked on vibrant orange cotton ground with layers in black, magenta, green, blue, turquoise, yellow, and burgundy. Four-layer construction with fine hand-stitching throughout and consistent stitch density. Complex curved cutwork with precise concentric channels surrounding the figural forms. Elaborate chevron embroidery on the wing elements and dense parallel line fill in the border registers. Strong compositional control with masterful bilateral symmetry. Single panel on orange cotton ground with dark backing visible. Decorative yoke band with white rickrack trim on black with green border. This piece exemplifies the spiritual and cosmological dimensions of traditional Guna textile art, demonstrating advanced technical mastery with its multi-layered concentric patterning and complex figural work. 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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