Description:

Panama, San Blas Island, Kuna / Cuna culture, ca. 1950. A pillow comprised of a colorful mola of many stitched layers of fabric, depicting a pair of river ducks or pelicans, face to face, with a baby waterbird in between their webbed feet. It is customary for traditional molas to show two creatures facing one another, a concept which the Kuna express as asabinsidi meaning "forehead to forehead" or "head to head." The composition is perfectly symmetrical as symmetry reflects the dualism of all living beings in nature, meaning every being can take on the traits of a demon as well as those of a rather angelic being according to Kuna mythology. Consequently, mola artists relish mirror imagery. Beyond this remarkable symmetry, this example is particularly colorful, because the artist painstakingly incorporated myriad layers of fabric in varying hues of green, orange, brown, pink, purple, blue, and yellow as well as stitching of several hues. A fabulous work of textile art! Size: 14" x 11-1/4"

For similar examples see Michel Perrin, "Magnificent Molas: The Art of the Kuna Indians," Flammarion, 2000, pp. 75 and 77.

Provenance: Ex-private Santa Fe, NM collection

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#110064

  • Condition: Sightly faded, else choice.

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November 5, 2015 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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