TRADITIONAL AQUATIC OCEAN FISH MOTIF MOLA ART TEXTILE PANAMA ETHNIX
Item History & Price
ORIGINAL FOLK ART HANDSEWN FABRIC AQUATIC VIBRANT TEXTILE FISH MOTIF Type of Object: MOLA Ethnic Group:GUNA/KUNA/CUNA-YALA Country of Origin: PANAMA Materials: COTTON FABRIC PANEL Approximate Age: 10 years + Dimensions: 14.5" by 12.50" Weight: 48.0 grams; 0.10 lbs; 1.7oz Overall Condition: VERY GOOD (slightly used) Awesome vibrant DOUBLE FISH TEXTILE KUNA Mola YALA (SAN BLAS Islands), Panama This extraordinary mola was purchased on the island Carti Suitupu, from one of the is...lands of the Carti group of Kuna Yala (San Blas Islands, Panama) in November 2017. The focus of this trip was to look for the older seredi, pre 1950’s molas and wooden healing figures or dolls called nuchus. I did however make some exceptions and bought only a few of the more recent molas whenthey exhibited a balance of extraordinary, quality, motif and color or imagination. This was one of them. The clothing of a traditional Kuna woman consists of a printed blue cotton wrapped skirt, red and yellow headscarf, glass beaded arm and leg bracelets, gold nose ring and earrings. The most iconic aspect of the female Kuna clothing is the colorful blouse consisting of a pair the several layered and finely sewn mola panels. The artistry of a mola reflects designs from bothtraditional Kuna culture and design influences from the external mass media world. Mola designs are often inspired from imagination and from modern graphics such as political posters, labels, pictures from books, etc. Geometric molas which are the most traditional, have been developed from ancient body painting designs and have their origins inPre-Columbian times. Molas are a source of supplemental income for Kuna womenand a source of pride and skill which helps to reinforce Kuna ethnic identity. Additional Background Information: I began my fieldwork and ethnographic studies in Kuna Yala in 1979 and have been steadily travelling back there ever since. Every Mola featured in the Ethnix gallery has been directly collected from one of these very special journeys. In November of 2017 my wife, 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 cessna 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 inventivewere 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 inPanama 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.Shipping & Handling Detail: US Buyers: Secure shipping and insurance will be determined by territory at close of auction. International Buyers: Secure shipping and insurance will be determined by territory at close of auction. Import duties, taxes and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's custom office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding or buying.
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.
00376
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.
00376
