LATIN AMERICA ABSTRACT MOTIF PANEL HANDSEWN APPLIQUED MOLA ART by WOMEN 

Type of Object: MOLA ART Ethnic Group: GUNA/KUNA Country of Origin: PANAMA (KUNA YALA) Materials: APPLIQUED COTTON FABRIC Approximate Age: CONTEMPORARY Dimensions: 18.0" by 13.5" Weight: 75.0 grams; 0.17 lbs  2.7 oz Overall Condition: Very Good 


Sale of molas, nuchus and other arts help the kuna Indians in promoting and maintaining their cultural and ethnic identity. David's passion is to visit them often. This extraordinary mola mask was purchased on the island Naranjo Grande from one ofthe islands of the Carti group of Kuna Yala (San Blas Islands, Panama). This mola mask was just purchased in January of 2015 The focus of this trip was to look for the older seredi, pre 1950’s molas and wooden healing figures or dolls called nuchus. I did however make some exceptions and bought only a few of the more recent molas when they exhibited a balance of extraordinary, quality, motif, color or imagination. This was one of them.


The artistry of a mola reflects designs from both traditional Kuna culture and design influences from the external mass media world. Mola designs are often inspired from imagination and from modern graphics such as political posters, labels, pictures from books, etc. Geometric molas which are the most traditional, have been developed from ancient body painting designs and have their origins in Pre-Columbian times. Molas are a source of supplemental income for Kuna women and a source of pride and skill which helps to reinforce Kuna ethnic identity. 


I began my fieldwork and ethnographic studies in Kuna Yala in 1979 and have been steadily traveling back there ever since. Every Mola featured in the Ethnix gallery has been directly collected from one of these very special journeys. Fortunately we have collected many good ones from our last trip in 2019.


Shipping & Handling Detail: US Buyers: Secure shipping and insurance will be determined by territory at close of auction. International Buyers: Secure shipping and insurance will be determined by territory at close of auction.  Import duties, taxes and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost.  These charges are the buyer's responsibility.  Please check with your country's custom office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding or buying.