Lot 2107
Molas Kuna/Guna People Panama Textile
Sold June 27, 2025
- Price realized
- $16
Price realized is the winning bid (hammer price) and excludes buyer’s premium.
About this lot
Estimated Value: $ 50-200
Origin: Kuna/Guna Yala People, Panama
Dimensions: 21x17in
Condition: Some fraying around the edges. The piece is in a frame
Additional Information: A fragment of a Molas made by the Kuna Indians of Panama which were made for women’s blouses. The piece is multicolored with organic shapes including leaf and flowers. There are abstract faces with colorful line work.
The technique used is a reverse applique involving many layers of different colored cloth stitched together. The design is created by cutting away parts of each layer to reveal the color underneath. The quality of a mola is judged by the number of layers, the stitching, and the complexity of the design. Some mola’s take up to six months to create.
Before the Spanish arrived the Kuna people used body paint. The Spanish were the ones to encourage the people to start to wear clothing.
The “mola” fabric is colored with natural dyes which have faded over time. This is the true tradition of original mola design. Reportedly collected in the late 70’s by Michele Herling, Dallas, TX. It represents to be traditional in design because of the underlying tunic, which makes it an authentic non-commerical piece.
Lot details
- Lot
- 2107
- Closed
- June 27, 2025
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