Folk Art - Central America - Pottery, Ceramics, Textiles

Kuna Indian

Three Bird Molas

San Blas Islands, Panama

circa 1966

SOLD

Dimensions: 

approx 10" wide x 7 1/2" high

Good Condition with minor fading from age.  Bird with outspread wings has a light stain in the white fabric near the center. A gentle cleaning would do wonders. 

The Kuna Indians inhabit the San Blas Islands, an archipelago of hundreds of small islands off the coast of Panama.  Mola is the Kuna word for blouse, but also refers to the decorative panels on traditional blouses worn and created by Kuna women.  Molas are created using a technique called "reverse appliqué", in which fabric is layered and cut in intricate patterns, revealing colors from the underlying layers.  High quality molas can be recognized by the fineness of the stitching, the number of layers, and the complexity of the design.  Mola designs typically portray birds, fish, flowers, and other plants and animals, as well as geometrical designs, political, mythological, and religious motifs, and scenes and objects from everyday life.

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