Folk Art - Central America - Pottery, Ceramics, Textiles

Kuna Indian

Mola

Bat and Snake

San Blas Islands, Panama

circa 1970

SOLD

Dimensions: 

approx 18" wide x 12" high

Mola depicting a bat and a snake.  Bilateral design. Two headed snake centered in a heart like medallion.  One snake head holds a leaf in its mouth.  Wings decorated with rectilinear designs.  Surrounded with spirals on a black ground.

Very Good Condition. Worn. Slight fading. No damage.

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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