MOLA ART by WOMEN BLOUSE PANEL HAND SEWN TEXTILE GEOMETRIC ABSTRACT ARROWS DESIGN MOTIF Type of Object: MOLA ART Ethnic Group: KUNA Country of Origin: PANAMA (KUNA YALA) Materials: REVERSE APPLIQUED COTTON FABRIC Approximate Age:60+ yrs Dimensions: 15.5" by 13.0" Weight: 43.0 grams; 0.10 lbs; 1.5oz Condition: Used and faded but good

Update on recent MOLA acquisitions. In November of 2017 my wife, Elpie, accompanied me on a somewhat grueling collecting expedition to 4 islands in the San Blas Archipelago chain known as Guna Yala. Our first stop was in the village of Playon Chico, reached by a small Air Panama essna and then by motor launch. We stayed in the village with a Guna family and came away with a few choice molas and 5 Uchu (nuchu) wooden healing figures. Despite the excessive heat coupled with the alternative continual Tropical downpours which contributed to our exhaustion we were continually motivated by the friendliness of the Guna inhabitants, especially the children. After two days collecting we began our return to Panama city via Carti Sugdup with an early morning communal motor launch. We decided to concentrate our remaining time by collecting on three islands in the Carti group; Tupile, Yandup and Sugdup, which proved to be most rewarding. The skill, needle work and imagination of the women Mola makers here on Sugdup is quite superlative, which I based on the refined, tightly sewn stitching, and variety of colors and themes. Repetitive motifs both classic and inventive were to be found here on Sugdup despite the constant exposure to non-indian interaction from tourists, which incidentally may have influenced the quality and inventiveness of the sewers by factors of supply and demand. The sale of molas contributes to the local economy and provides supplemental income to the family unit. In addition, the Mola, the icon of the Kuna nation, further strengthens the Kuna identity and helps perpetuate their successful social cohesion. Our Mola collecting which began and ended in Panama was bracketed by visits and purchases in the Panama old city on the promenade of los Bobedos in Casco Antiguo where displays of Molas and other crafts were found.

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All of the individual items in our Ebay store are from my personal collection. These are objects acquired from more than 20 years of collecting both in the field and in New York. It has culminated in the creation of Ethnix Tribal Arts gallery in New York City. and our online EBAY store. Each item has been selected for its individual merit such as the quality of workmanship, construction, age, and authenticity.