Lot 108A
Central America, Panama, San Blas Islands, Kuna / Cuna, ca. 1950 CE. A fabulous ensemble of five vibrant molas - this folk art form created by the Kuna Native American women artisans - originally collected by Kit Kapp. All are quite colorful and comprised of several layers of fabrics; several showing beautiful embroidered details as well. Their iconography is inspired by the flora and fauna of the San Blas Islands, and their designs display the characteristic symmetry and mazelike patterns of fine molas. Size: 14.75" L x 18.5" W (37.5 cm x 47 cm)
We are honored to present these molas originally from the important Kit Kapp collection. According to Tom Hannaher in his text from a debut exhibition of Kuna Molas from the Kit Kapp collection, "Between 1963 and 1971, Kitt Kapp and his wife Valerie conducted over 35 expeditions of the San Blas Islands, as well as remote Kuna villages in Colombia and along the Bayano River in the Darien Peninsula of Panama. Kit's book, Mola Art of the San Blas Islands, was one of the first publications to treat molas as an art form." (Molas from the Collection of Kit Kapp," by Tom Hannaher, 2008)
The folk craft of creating molas began about 125 years ago when the Kunas moved from the mainland to the islands. In their new environment, cooler nights necessitated warmer clothing. At first, women created blouses adorned with simple applique borders, but as time went on, they increased the scale of the decorative areas until the entire front and back panels were comprised of multi-layered, quilted textile designs. This distinctive art form has evolved into a tradition of exceptionally fine needlework and meaningful symbolism.
Provenance: ex-Kurquhill's Gallery, El Paso, Texas, USA; ex-private El Paso, Texas, USA collection, acquired early to mid 1970s
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#127714
- Condition: Several have a label from the Kit Kapp Kuna Expedition on the verso. Minor fraying to edges, but fabrics are in generally good shape, and hues are still vibrant.
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