Central America, Panama, Kuna, ca. mid-20th century CE. This is a pair of molas or reverse-applique panels with text and iconography inspired by nature and religion, both are comprised of several layers of fabrics, and together they present hues of bright colors - a rainbow on a black ground. One depicts large parrots and unintelligible text. The other is a Christian devotional Holy Trinity mola comprised of circles, connected by yellow bands. The outer circles contain in Spanish "EL PADRE" (the father), "EL ESPI RITUSA NTO” (the spirit), "EL HIJO" (the son), and "DIOS" (God) in the center. The yellow bands leading to each of the outer circles have "NO ES" (is not) and "ES" (is) on the inner bands leading to Dios. The folk craft of creating molas began about 125 years ago when the Kuna peoples moved from the mainland to the islands of Panama and needed slightly warmer, thicker clothing. Eventually, the Kuna textile techniques they used for clothing became works of art. These panels are approximately the same size. Size: 20" L x 16" W (50.8 cm x 40.6 cm)

Provenance: private Superior, Colorado, USA collection

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#169668

Fraying and losses to embroidery, unraveling to hems and peripheries, and losses and tearing to fabric. Losses to cotton layers. Fading and staining on both textiles- darker stains of border of on parrot panel. Motifs are well preserved.