Mola
Artist/Maker
Guna people
(Guna Yala, Panama)
Datenot dated
Mediumdyed cotton and thread
DimensionsOverall: 14 × 16 1/2 in. (35.6 × 41.9 cm)
ClassificationsCostumes and Accessories
Credit LineGift of Helene L. DeLano
Terms
Object number2008.29
DescriptionTextile artists in Guna Yala draw inspiration from a wide variety of sources, even the products they buy in small stores on the islands. This mola depicts two jars with bird designs on their labels. The red rectangle shapes at the top are red plastic caps. Bird designs are common given their significance in the culture and prevalence in the environment. This particular mola is made of many colors, which means that more than two layers of cloth were used to create it. Molas that are made of more than two colors are called mor gonikat. These types of molas may also have cut out layers sewn on the top of the designs or small colorful stitches to add more detail. This mola has colored stitches on the tops of the jars and on the faces of the birds, which gives it texture. The eyes of the birds and the stripes are layers that were sewn on the top of the design to create more complexity.On View
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