The molas on this page are extraordinary molas, very well made and seldomly seen by most visitors to Panama or Kuna Yala (San Blas Islands). All of these have been sold. They are here for your viewing pleasure and educational purposes.
In the event that you are interested in something similar to what has been sold on this page, please contact me and I try to find a similar one.
Thanks ~
Extraordinary! Santa Claus in his Boot Mola
With Christmas coming up real soon, I considered it appropriate to offer this Santa from my personal collection. It's one of my very favorite Santa Molas and the best that I've come across during my years of mola collecting.
This is a very lovely mola of top quality workmanship that shows Santa coming out of his Boot! The boot is adorned with a lovely Christmas tree and a Pointsettia. To continue the theme the Kuna artist added lovely bells and a little angel.
The workmanship on this mola is faboulous! The boot has been filled with tiny cut out squares in different colors. The boot is outlined in the intricaate and very difficult sawtooth stitch (suidi-suidi).. it is very even and the points are all the same size! She used beautiful embroidery details on the angels and the bells as well as the pointsettia. It is a true work of art.
The top layer is maroon (it looks a bit redder in this image), the middle layer is black and the bottom or base layer is yellow. Many smaller swatches of fabric, in different colors were inserted between these layers, adding color and beauty to the design.
The mola is about 10 years old. It is in wonderful condition! No stains, rips, cuts, fading etc...
Dimensions: 18-3/4" x 13-1/4"
Magnificent Under Water Scene Mola
This fabulous mola is a real work of art! It shows a very colorful huge fish swimming in the depths of the ocean. The fish appears to have something in it's mouth, probably a fishing hook. With the large fish are two smaller ones and a jellyfish.
The mola is exquiste. The workmanship is of the highest quality. It is made in the reverse applique technique and has superb embroidery details that enhance the design. The stitching is very tiny, almost invisible, and very even. The lines are narrow and uniform.
For the background the Kuna artist used little "x's" in many colors, adding liveliness to her design. She used three layers of fabric: maroon, black and a mustard yellow (not as bright as it looks on the digital image) and other swatches of fabric in between these layers.
The mola is in mint condition. It was sold to me before the mola maker had the opportunity to wear it. I've had it for about three years in my personal collection.
Dimensions: 18" x 15"
SOLD
Outstanding Vintage "Arca de Noe" Mola Pair
This great pair of old molas is a wonderful example of the Kuna woman's sense of humor and creativity. The mola is approximately 20 years old or more. Probably from the late 1970's.
Here we have Two "Arcas de Noe" or Noah's Ark. The top mola, however, does not refer to the reading from the Bible but rather to an old Colombian Trading Boat by that name that made many trips to the San Blas Islands to barter their goods. At the top left of the boat is the flag of Colombia. There is another flag at the rear of the vessel which I can't identify. On the "Arca de Noe" are three people, two of which are presumed to be Kuna Indians and the other is probably the Colombian Captain. The lettering of "San Blas India" on the top and the bottom and Kuna on the right were probably used as filler elements and also used by the mola maker to identify her origin.
The bottom mola is the traditional "Arca de Noe" or Noah's Ark and here we have Noah with his staff and many animals in pairs. Elephants, tigeres, monkeys birds etc... are identifiable. This Ark also has it's name in colorful letters.
This is a remarkable pair of molas and in excellent condition. It is very rare to see molas this old in such excellent shape.
The molas are all sewn in the reverse applique technique. Embroidery is only used in some cases on the animals eyes. They have the "tas-tas" or vertical cut outs and lots of tiny triangles add liveliness to the background. The mola maker used the "Ottomano" fabric on the base layer of the mola. This fabric is no longer made, or at least not availaable anywhere in Panama or in Colombia (they tell me).
This is a fabulous pair of collectibles!
Dimensions: 17-1/4" x 13-3/4"
SOLD
Exquisite - Vintage - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mola
This is a fabulous mola from about 1987 - 1988. It depicts two of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, probably Leonardo the leader, and maybe Micahelangelo (?) during one of their many battles.
The mola is remarkably detailed. The craftsmanship is magnificent and every single space in the mola is filled. The stitches are practically invisible.
The Kuna artist used a variety of stitches for her creation including the "suidi-suidi" (suidamakalet) or sawtooth stitch, beautiful embroidery and hundreds of little "x's" throughout the mola.
This top quality mola was obviously a favorite of the Kuna mola maker and is in excellent condition considering it's age and the wear. It is slightly but nicely faded, It has one small tear on the edge (see picture) but it doesn't detract from the mola at all.
The mola is made from three full layers of fabric. The bottom fabric is the "Ottomano" fabric that was originally purchased from the Colombian traders and is no longer available. This mola is a great collectible.
As Leonardo would say: "GO FOR IT".
It measures 16-3/4" x 12-1/2"
SOLD
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Magic Flute Mola Pair ~ Kuna Legend
This is a wonderful mola pair that depicts a beautiful Kuna legend. It shows a person, presumably a prince, kneeling in a lovely flower garden playing a magic flute while a beautiful peacock (or bird of paradise?) listens attentively. The spirit "purba" of the flute plays magical notes that will transform the peacock back into the princess that she is; and as all fairy tales end... they live happily ever after.
On the top mola is the prince with the magic flute. On the bottom mola we see the bird that is transforming into the beautiful princess. In Kuna mythology, animals easily transform into human beings and "ponis", somtimes spelled/pronounced "bonis" (evil spirits) can cause humans to transform into animals.
The molas are remarkable. The stitching is tiny and very tight. The lines are narrow and even. Beautiful embroidery enhances the designs and hundreds of tiny triangles in a spectrum of colors adds liveliness to the molas. The Kuna mola maker added the suidi-suidi (sawtooth) stitch to further enhance the molas.
They are approximately 10 years old and were worn with pride on the blouse of the Kuna artist that made them. They are in excellent condition. No rips, stains, tears or fading. The white space that you can observe on the top mola is not a tear but it is sewn back and it is where it was attached to the blouse. On the bottom mola there is a very slight cut - not noticeable - on the botton left edge. (Click on the images to see close-up views)
The molas measure 17-1/4" x 14-1/4".
SOLD
Please click on the image so that you can observe the details of the superb workmanship.
Exquisite Traditional "Path" or Igar Mola
This is another Sergan design that has been interpreted by the mola maker representing one of the "Path" chants that the Kuna saylas (shamans) use in their rituals. They have the chant of Muu for childbirth, the chant of the Hermit Crab (Galu Igar) which is a popular motif, the prayers to the Kuna's God.. or Path to the Father (Bab Igar).... and many more. They represent the path that the spirits or "purbas" take in order to carry out the mission for which they are invoked.
This "Igar" or Path is a wonderful design and the workmanship is "out of this world". It has the suidi suidi or sawtooth stitch throughout the mola and another stitch that is similar to the sawtooth that resembles the teeth of a comb or "peine" stitch.
It has four layers of fabric: Maroon, orange, black and a white base or bottom layer. The stitches are very tiny, practically invisible, and very neat and even on both the front and back of the mola. It is an outstanding work of art.
SOLD
Three Crosses Mola
This is a wonderful, oversized mola depicting three crosses. This traditional and very intricate Kuna mola motif is very well executed. The design makes extensive use of the "suidi-suidi" or sawtooth stitch, that is very difficult and "mucho trabajo".. hard work as the Kunas point out. The tiny "v's" in many colors make up the background. The top layer of the mola is maroon, the middle layer is black and the bottom layer is a red "ottomano fabric". The stitches are very tiny and perfectly even. The lines are very thin and even also. It is a spectacular work of textile art. The mola is approximately 5 years old, possibly older judging from the ottomano fabric that was used. It did not receive much wear because it was only used a couple of times a year, probably for religious occasions. The mola is in perfect condition
Dimensions: 20" x 16-1/4"
SOLD
Cupid Spears Beast
This mola portrays a cupid that is spearing a creature that seems to be half man - half animal. They are in a beautiful garden surrounded by lovely flowers. It is very intricate, nicely stitched and approximately 15 years old. This mola may have been inspired by a Valentine! It was worn on the blouse of the mola maker.
The Kuna woman that made this mola has used a variety of stitches: It is made using the reverse applique technique that is unique to the Kuna Indians of Panama. The cupid's body has the small cut out squares, it has tiny colored triangles in the background. She has used fine embroidery to enhance the design.
Soft from the wear and washings.
Dimensions: 15-1/4" x 12-3/4"
"Kantules" Mola Pair
This is a superb pair of molas that portray Kuna culture and traditions. These represent the "Inna Feast" or puberty ceremony, which is perhaps the most important Kuna ritual having remained almost "intact" throughout the centuries.
The Kantules (derived from "Kama Tule", man of whistle or flute) are the leaders in the ceremony. "Chanting to the spirit of his long cane flute, he guides parallel activities in the spirit world and describes every step of the ceremony in ritualized, formal language." (The Art of Being Kuna, Salvador, p. 212 )
In the top mola, two Kantules are leading the purberty ritual.
The Kuna artist has paid attention to every detail and included the variety of ritual elements in her design. Everything from the fancy hat made with feathers and a basket weave design; the pelican bone necklace; the cane flute to the gourd rattles (Maracas - sp./ Koke -rattle, Nasis -gourd in Kuna) and the "tules" or Kuna people that have already had too much to drink have been represented.
The puberty ceremony lasts for days... until the "chicha" (fermented corn drink) runs out. In the bottom mola, the ceremony is almost over. The Kantules, still playing their flute, are now resting in a hammock... undoubtedly the feast will continue tomorrow... The beautifully decorated containers large near the top is were the "chicha" is stored. The "sianala" or clay braziers are burning "cocoa beans" .
The molas are excellently made. The mola artist has used a variety of stitches, including the "pua-pua" or tiny cut out squares. The stitches are tiny and even. Little colored triangles are used as filler elements.
These molas are BRAND NEW, they have never been worn, even though they were intended to be.
Dimensions: 16" x 12-1/4"
Rum Label Mola???/Military Installation Mola??
This is a superbly made mola of a very unusual motif. I'm not sure what it refers to and the woman that made it and sold it to me wasn't sure either!! She said that she had copied parts from one mola and then added some from her own imagination. It looks like part of the motif was inspired by the Bacardi Rum label. it has a bat in the background which is the Bacardi logo.. the bottle in the front confirms this notion.
There are two flagpoles in the design, the one on our left may be the American flag because of the horizontal lines (stripes), there is no flag on the flag pole on the right. Ever since the signing of the Panama Canal Treaty by Mr. Carter & Mr. Torrijos, both U.S. and Panamanian flags have flown together on all military installations. (Now the bases are gone and only the Panamanian flag waves.. On the right there is a figure of a man that seems to be waving goodbye... to the Americans maybe?...
On the left there is a bird that looks kind of like an ostrich, eating something... and another smaller animal, looks like a dog. These two may very well be a spirts as for the Kunas everything has a "purba" or spirit. The letters in the design probably are more than likely filler elements and are not meant to convey a message. For the background the mola maker has used tiny colored triangles.
The design is unusual but lovely and original. The mola is very well made, it has tiny stitches that are very neat and even. The main figures hace vertical "tas-tas" cuts, the lines are straight and narrow. Superior Workmanship. The central motif is outlined in the suidamakelet (suidi-suidi as the Kunas call it) or sawtooth stitch that is very intricte and difficult. Three main layers of fabric, the bottom layer is the "ottomano" fabric that is not available in the area. It was originally obtained from the Colombian Traders but they have stopped bringing it.
Dimensions: 17-3/4" x 13-3/4"
Religious Mola Pair (OLD Testament)
King Salomon!
Note: Thanks to Margaret that corrected me on the interpretation of this Mola. I had it as King Herod killing the innocent children, but it's actually KING SALOMON!
Salomon, the wise King, that asked the Lord for knowledge is sitting at his ornate throne in his magnificent palace while a guard stands by.
The Old Testament story says that two women were fighting over a child, both claiming to be the child's mother. They went to King Salomon so that he would decide the fate of the child and the wise King said that the child should be cut in half so that each mother could have 1/2 of the child. The real mother cried "No" and answered that she preferred to give the child up before anything should happen to the child. Then King Salomon realized that this woman was the real mother, and of course, the child was spared and given to her.
In the top mola we have Salomon sitting on his throne and ordering the guard to cut the child in half!
In the bottom mola we have the mother pleading for the life of her child and Salomon acknowleding that she is the true mother.
The molas are fabulous. The Kuna artist that stitched these molas did a superb job. They are very intricate. with extraordinary details. Sewn in the reverse applique technique with very tiny and even stitches. The molas are enhanced with embroidery details throughout the mola. The mola maker has added hundreds of tiny colored triangles as a background filler. The suidi-suidi (saw-tooth stitch) that surrounds Salomon's throne in both molas is very neat and uniform. The carpet at the foot of the throne has the tiny cut out circles and very thin strips of fabric criss-crossing the circles.
Both of these have been worn on the mola-maker's blouse. Made between 1990 - 1995.
Click on the image for a much better view.
Rare "The Perils of Drugs" Mola
This is an extraordinary mola that conveys a message. It shows an octopus that has caught many youths in his tentacles. The octopus represents the different vices: cocaine, marihuana, tabacco, alcohol even coffee. There are already several caught, and the mola maker has represented them with looks of anguish. A couple of young boys seem to be experimenting with what may be a cigarette or marihuana and the octopus has his eyes on them to catch them as well.
A very interesting "protest" mola. The design may have come from the mola maker's imagination or even from a pamphlet or book that she might have come across.
The mola is excellently made. The whole background is filled with triangles in reverse applique in the same colors as the main layers of fabric, so as to not detract from the message that the Kuna woman wants to convey. The head of the octopus has tiny cut out squares and the tentacles have colored applications. She has used embroidery for details on the children's faces and clothing. The stitching is small and even. A very "collectible" mola.
It is approximately 8 years old and has been worn quite a bit but is in very good condition. No stains, or holes or fading.
The image shows fading but it is because of the scan, not the mola.
Dimensions: 17-1/4" x 12-3/4"
Click on each image for larger & more detailed views of the molas.
Clever Crabs Mola Pair
This is an exquisite pair of molas of superior quality. They depict a pair of crabs and show the ingenuity and cleverness of the mola maker as well as her excellent workmanship.
The top mola shows the crab looking us straight in the eyes, as if he were walking towards us on the beach of Kuna Yala. This was the front panel of the blouse. As the Kuna woman walked towards someone, the crab would be facing him. (It took me a few minutes to see it right!)
The bottom mola, worn on the back panel of the mola maker's blouse, shows us a beautiful crab but seen from a different perspective. Here we are looking down on him. He seems to be busy having his lunch.
Both are superbly made in reverse applique. The stitches are tiny and even and almost invisible. The bodies are made with the little cut out squares, permitting the smaller swatches of bright colored fabric to show thru. The legs and claws, as well as the leaf like patterns used as fillers, have touches of embroidery. As background fillers the mola maker has used little abstract - reverse applique designs. The lines are thin and very even.
This clever pair of molas were worn on the blouse of the Kuna artist that made them. They are approximately 5 years old.
Please Note: The scans don't do justice to these fine works of ethnic art. The molas had to be scanned in six different sections and it was very difficult to match them up properly. The lines and blurs on the images are a result of my limited scanning capabilities!
Dimensions: 18-1/4" x 14-1/4"
Intricate Botanical Mola
This is truely a magnificent mola! A real collectible. It portrays a beautiful abstract plant, viewed from the top of the flower. The stitching is superb, very tiny, almost invisible and very neat and even. The suidi-suidi or sawtooth stitch that surrounds the main motif is also very uniform. The lines are narrow. In the center are four heart-shaped elements. Thebackground has the vertical cut outs or "tas-tas" as well as some colored triangles.
This is a really great mola. Don't miss it!
Dimensions: 20" x 17"
Chimera Mola
This fabulous mola is a great example of Kuna mythology. The strange winged creature shown is some kind of a clawed sphynx or chimera - a hybrid being that combines human and animal features. The Kunas believe that evil spirits or "ponis" (also spelled "bonis") were once animals and they can transform back and forth at their whim. According to the husband of the woman that made this mola, this creature is from the fourth layer below the earth. With his dancing, he has seduced the two women in the scene and is taking them back with him.
The workmanship of the mola is extraordinary. It has a lot of intricate details and tiny, even stitches. The bodies of the chimera as well as the two Kuna women have the "bua-bua" or tiny cut out squares. The image is outlined in the intricate "suida-suida" or sawtooth stitch. The skirts are enhanced with embroidery and the background has tiny triangles in many colors.
Once worn on a blouse of the mola maker. It is between 5 - 10 years old. Excellent condition. Nice and soft from the washings and San Blas sun.
The image does not do the mola justice! It is really a one of a kind.
Dimensions: 16-3/8" x 13-1/4"
Vintage "Moon and Stars" Mola
This mola is an adaptation from an old "sergan" design. It shows six crescent moons outlined in the "suida-suida" (sawtooth stitch). Little stars and moons and hundreds of tiny colored triangles are used throughout the mola as a background filler.
The molas is approximately 15 years old. The lines are very thin and even and the stitching is tiny. It is nicely faded from the wear and numerous washings.
Dimensions: 18" x 14-1/4"
Tigre y Diablo
This is a very peculiar mola that the mola maker has labeled "Ticre y Diablo", she probably meant to write "Tigre y Diablo" referring to a devil and the proud looking lion that she has confused with a tiger!
The motif for this mola was more than likely inspired by a storybook. I tend to lean towards Beauty and the Beast or maybe the Wizard of Oz or maybe one of the hundreds of other stories. We do have a majestic looking lion (probably was once a prince) dancing in a garden with a long haired humanoid creature with claws.
The Kuna designs are inspired by many sources. One of their favorites is from storybooks, comic books, greeting cards and any other printed matter. These are copied and often adapted to meet the Kuna woman's fancy.
This mola is approximately 15 years or older.The top layer of the mola is maroon, the bottom layer is black. The mola maker has added another layer of fabric on the bottom to give it more weight. She has used other colors between the maroon and black layers, mainly orange and other smaller pieces. The mola is soft from the wear and the washings but shows very little fading.
Dimensions: 16-1/2" x 13"
The line and the blur in the center-left of the mola are due to the scanned image. It is not a defect of the mola.
Curing Ritual Molas
"Purba Mor"
Spirits Mola
This is a fascinating set of molas that portrays a Kuna curing ritual.
Top mola: In the center is the "Nele" or medicine man that is chanting to the spirits. To the right and left of the Nele are the spirts: the "evil" spirits which are the ones causing the sickness or other harm are carrying away the spirits or Purbas of the individual that is ill or suffering from a malady.
Bottom Mola: We have the same "Nele" who is now in a kneeling position and it looks like the ritual was effective as the "evil" purbas are no longer present and the "purbas" or spirits of the individuals seem to be back to "normal".
For the background filler the Kuna mola-maker has used the "greek key" pattern. The molas are very well made and worn by the mola-maker as the front and back panels of a blouse. The molas are about 15 years old.
Dimensions: 17" x 14-1/4"
Mola pair: Front and back panel that depicts a very creative kitchen and restaurant where beautifully hand stitched animals are the protagonists!
The subject may have been taken from a child's storybook and adapted by the mola-maker (Norma) to show the animals commonly seen in Kuna Yala. I can not identify the story, if there is one.
Mola Pair: Front and back panels of mola blouse that depict a very diligent homemaker hen. On one panel she is happily knitting a scarf, on the other she is shopping for the corn for her family.
These two molas were also created by Norma and were probably copied from illustrations in a story book. Her interpretation and needlecraft are extraordinary works.
These molas have been worn by Norma on her blouse and are about 15 years old.
ONLY SOLD AS A PAIR
Kuna Village Life - Hammocks -
Birth & Death - Mola Pair
These are brand new molas, originally made for a blouse but I was lucky to get them to offer to you before they were actually worn on the garment.
The top panel is a Kuna mother holding her baby, rocking him or her in a hammock inside the Kuna dwelling.
The bottom pannel is a Kuna wake. The deceased indian is in the hammock inside the Kuna dwelling and the three Kuna women, with their arms and legs bands and their mola blouses and head scarfs, are mourning him. They are called "lloronas" or cryers in Spanish.
4 Kuna Sailboats
This shows four exquisite Kuna sailboats. The Kunas use cayucos or dug-out canoes for their everyday activities. Each one of the sailboats on this mola is different. The top two have the Kuna flag that was used during the Kuna revolution in the mid 20's, I don't know what the two bottom flags represent. The mola is exquisite. The workmanship is superb. It has beautiful embroidered details on each of the sails and the actual boat. The mola maker has used "x" as a background filler. It has three layers of cotton fabric (redish maroon, black & deep pink). The mola is more than 10 years old and is soft from the wear and washings. No fadings or any other defect that I can observe.
Dimensions: 16-3/4 " x 13-1/4"