Guna Political Mola Panel for Republican Party Deputy Candidate Kaiser Bazán

About Auction

Live

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

View Full Catalog (202)

• Lot Description
  Panama (Guna Yala), circa 1970s 19 × 16 inches An exceptional political mola panel worked in three layers of reverse appliqué, appliqué, and embroidery commemorating a Republican Party electoral campaign. Text across the top reads "DIBUTADO" (the maker's rendering of Diputado, meaning Senator or Congressman). Concentric text bands encircling the central medallion read "KISIEY BASAN" — the maker's phonetic rendering from memory of Kaiser Bazán, the candidate's name — and "PARTIDO REPUBLICANO" (Republican Party). Additional text at the bottom reads "ACZIDENTE," the maker's rendering of Occidente (West), identifying the electoral district. A further text band reads "AMULTOAYIB," likely a Guna place name or additional political reference. The central rounded rectangular medallion contains an elaborate heraldic composition dominated by a large stylized deer head with prominent branching antlers, rendered in black with concentric circles of multicolored embroidery radiating outward from a central eye and a small mouth showing teeth. The deer head likely serves as the candidate's or party's campaign emblem. Two Panamanian flags with red and blue quartered fields marked with X-shaped stars flank the deer. Two small figures in red and blue stand on either side, and additional symbolic elements including tools and implements fill the yellow ground within the medallion. A row of multicolored star motifs encircles the inner frame. Four additional stylized deer occupy the corners of the panel, each rendered in black with concentric embroidered circle eyes, branching antlers, zigzag body patterning, and bared teeth — reinforcing the deer as the central campaign symbol throughout the composition. The surrounding field is densely filled with groups of vertical dash elements in alternating colors — yellow, orange, pink, blue, purple, and teal — creating a vibrant, celebratory atmosphere. This piece exemplifies the politicization of mola art during a period of active electoral engagement in Guna Yala, when candidates from national political parties sought support in indigenous communities. The maker has transformed campaign signage and political emblems into a complex textile artwork that combines Panamanian national symbols with Guna aesthetic conventions and local iconography. The repeated deer motif — five in total — creates a unified visual identity for the campaign, functioning as an indigenous textile equivalent of a political poster or banner. As characteristic of Guna textile tradition, all text is rendered from memory with phonetic spelling and stylistic interpretation. Worked on vibrant red cotton ground with layers in black, teal, and orange. Fine hand-stitching throughout with consistent stitch density. Dense, fully filled composition with sophisticated cutwork and elaborate embroidered details throughout the central heraldic scene and corner deer figures. Single panel on magenta cotton ground with black backing visible. A similar photo of this mola can be found on page 208 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.

• Payment & Auction Policies

  • Available payment options

    • 
    • 
    • 
    • 
    • 
    • 
    • 

    Thank you for Bidding with Dana Auctions. Please note, your credit card on file will be charged in 72 hours if you have not initiated payment. Contact our office at 732-221-3560 if you would like to pay with an alternate method, or if you would like to schedule a pick up in our Princeton, NJ location.

• Buyer's Premium
  • 23.00 %