Pair of Guna Mola Panels with Cosmological Bird and Iguana Design

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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 Each 13 × 17 inches An exceptional matched pair of mola panels worked in four layers of reverse appliqué, appliqué, and embroidery depicting a large cosmological bird, likely an eagle, flanked by three iguana figures in the corners. These panels represent the traditional blouse front and back, designed to be worn as a matched set, and exemplify the Guna practice of embedding spiritual and natural history observation within complex symmetric compositions. The dominant motif is a monumental bird form that fills nearly the entire composition, rendered in brilliant red ground activated throughout with multicolored appliqué creating a densely patterned surface. The design demonstrates masterful command of symmetry—the bird's wings extend horizontally across the panel in perfect bilateral balance, while the composition maintains visual unity through careful distribution of color and pattern. The bird's central body is conceived as a vertical axis running from top to bottom. At the head, a circular form contains a white appliqué eye surrounded by concentric embroidered bands in yellow, pink, and blue—characteristic of raptor vision rendered with the penetrating quality associated with eagles or hawks. The bird's elongated body descends from this head, filled with rainbow-colored dashed embroidery creating horizontal banding that suggests feather structure or plumage patterning. The powerful wings dominate the composition, each rendered as large curvilinear forms outlined in multiple colors—green sawtooth edging against black, followed by pink, orange, and burgundy appliqué bands creating depth through layered outlining. The wing interiors are filled with scattered triangular appliqué elements in rainbow colors—yellow, orange, pink, purple, blue, green, white—each triangle outlined in black, representing individual feathers or the cellular pattern of wing membrane. This sophisticated rendering captures both the structure and the visual complexity of extended raptor wings. Three iguana figures occupy the corner positions—upper left, upper right, and lower right. Each iguana is rendered with characteristic reptilian features: white appliqué eyes with concentric colored embroidery suggesting the reflective quality of reptilian vision, elongated snouts with open mouths displaying teeth rendered in white and pink appliqué, and curved bodies that conform to the available corner spaces. The iguana bodies are filled with dense dotted embroidery and rainbow-colored dashed running stitches that create scaled texture and visual rhythm. The positioning of three iguanas rather than four creates an intentional asymmetry within the overall symmetric composition—a sophisticated design choice that adds visual interest while maintaining balance. Stepped rectangular forms appear at the panel edges, rendered in green, pink, and orange outlining with sawtooth edging. These architectural elements may reference the geometric forms found in traditional Guna dwelling construction, sacred enclosures, or the stepped levels of cosmological space. Some contain interior markings—small crosses in yellow embroidery and chevron patterns suggesting woven textile or basketry motifs. At center bottom, a squared cross motif rendered in green and yellow creates a strong focal point. The cross form functions as both compositional anchor and spiritual marker—representing the intersection of cardinal directions, the center point of the cosmos, and the axis mundi connecting earthly and celestial realms. Throughout the red ground, hundreds of small triangular elements float freely, creating an all-over patterning that activates negative space and demonstrates the maker's commitment to visual density and technical virtuosity. The pairing of raptor bird with iguanas represents a significant ecological and symbolic relationship in Guna cosmology. Eagles and large hawks hunt iguanas in the coastal forests and mangroves of the San Blas archipelago—this predator-prey relationship would be well-known to Guna makers through direct observation. The composition may represent this natural dynamic rendered in cosmological terms, with the bird occupying the dominant central position (sky realm, spiritual vision, hunting prowess) while the iguanas occupy subordinate corner positions (earth realm, terrestrial movement, hunted creatures). Alternatively, the composition may represent a more complex spiritual narrative where the raptor serves as messenger between realms or guardian of sacred knowledge, while the iguanas represent earth-bound wisdom, regeneration (through their ability to shed tails and regrow them), and the abundance of the natural world that sustains Guna life. The four-layer construction allows for sophisticated color revelations—black interlayer creates strong graphic definition, while additional layers in orange and burgundy create depth and visual complexity. The sawtooth edging technique used throughout requires exceptional precision, as each triangular tooth must be individually cut and stitched. Worked on brilliant red cotton ground with four layers including black, orange, and burgundy interlayers. Exceptionally fine hand-stitching throughout with sawtooth edging on all major forms. Four-layer reverse appliqué construction with hundreds of individually applied triangular elements representing feathers and scales. Masterful compositional control maintaining bilateral symmetry across complex multi-element design while incorporating intentional asymmetry in iguana placement. Matched pair designed as blouse front and back. Each panel on red cotton ground with pink backing visible at reverse. Provenance: From the Parker & Neal Collection

  Condition

  Minor wear consistent with age. Colors remain exceptionally vibrant. 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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