Vintage 1960’s Reverse Applique Mola w/ Flags by Kuna Indians, Panama  19 by 26

Description

Vintage 1960’s Reverse Applique Mola w/ Flags by Kuna Indians, Panama  19 by 26
Vintage 1960’s Large Colorful Mola w/ Panama’s Flags, Words, Animals
Hand Made by the Kuna Indian Tribe on the San Blas Isthmus in Panama
Reverse Applique Technique
In Vintage Solid Cherry Wood Frame w/ Wire Hanger on Back
I Bought This Years Ago in an Antique Mall and Framed It in
A Solid Cherry Wood Frame That Has Darkened and Developed Patina
and Depth Over the
Years - Very Nice Frame
Mola is Mounted on Mat Inside
Not Under Glass So You Can Really See Textile w/o
Reflection
This May Be A Mola Representing a San Blas Celebration w/
the Flags and the Words - Can’t Make Out Words?
I Attached the Information That Was On the Unframed Mola
When I Bought It Which Gives the 1960’s, San Blas Provenance
My Guess is Someone Brought It Back from Panama in the 1960’s
Framed Measures: 19 1/4” High by 25 3/4” Wide by 6/8” Depth
Mola Alone Measures: 16 1/2” High by 23” Wide
Great Color and Visual Interest Here
Looks Like We Want Our Vintage / Antique Collectibles to Look
Mola’s Black Top Layer of Cotton Fabric Worn Through in
Many Areas Exposing the Light Orange Under Applique Layer
Some Missing Fabric on Animals, Frays, and Holes
Still Very Charming and Looks Good on a Wall
I Have Exhibited It For Years - Moved and No Wall Space
for Much of My Personal Collection Any Longer
See All Photos for Accurate Representation
A Beautiful Example of Tribal Mola Applique
A Special One for the Mola Collector
Ready to Hang and Enjoy!
Here is Some Information from the Internet on This Old Tribal Craft / Photos Follow
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The Kunas are the creators of the vibrant textiles called "Mola" and these textiles are vital to their communities. The Molas are Panama's expressions of folklore and most famous native handicraft. Mola Art began approximately two hundred years ago when Kuna women gained access to modern, store-bought fabrics. The first designs represented their culture, mythology, native animals and plants.
Mola panels are made by selecting several layers of fabric, the last layer remain whole and uncut, this layer will serve as the base, the other layers will be place one on top of another, on these layers they will draw the design, cutting the design through, then stitching each one to reveal the colors beneath. The Kunas work with one layer at the time, layer by layer from the bottom layer up. They may also add appliques, inlay details, inserts placed under the top layer to bring more colors to the theme. The method is called reverse applique. The ones made on reverse applique are considered the best.
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_gsrx_vers_841 (GS 7.0.16 (841))