Description:

Central America, Panama, San Blas Islands, Ubicantupu Miria village, Kuna/Cuna, ca. mid 20th century CE with a Kit Kapp expedition tag that reads "from Ubicantupu Miria, Dec. 23, 1970." An exceptional example of this highly developed folk art form, coming from the world's finest collection of molas. A large, multi-layered textile depicting a touching maternal scene among our feathered friends. Vibrant tropical flora and fauna of the islands has served as the main source of indigenous iconography, and magnificent birds are most adored by the Kuna. Here we see a large water bird with two of her chicks, one upon her back, the other baby sheltered beneath her chest. All is presented in fabrics of a marvelous variety of hues - red, blue, green, orange, purple, pink, yellow, and black. Complementing this are the remarkable hand embroidered details, including the vertical rows of rainbow colored stitchery adorning the mother bird's (as well as the lower baby bird's) facial planes and webbed feet, the concentric green and orange circles embroidered around the mother bird's large eye and the chevron shaped multicolored "feathers" adorning the face of the baby bird upon her back. Surrounded by lush emerald green trees and foliage in the jungles, sapphire blue skies, and the cool teal ocean, Kuna women have traditionally taken their cues from the symphony of bright colors found in nature. Size: 18.5" W x 15.125" H (47 cm x 38.4 cm)

We are honored to present this mola 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-Kit Kapp collection formed in the very early 1970's. A Kit Kapp expedition tag attached to this mola reads "from Ubicantupu Miria, Dec. 23, 1970." Mr. Katt acquired the world's largest and best documented collection of Molas, with numerous published examples in his book entitled, "Mola Art" (1972 and other reputable sources including Parker and Neal's "Molas: Folk Art of the Cuna Indians" (Clarkson N. Potter, Inc., a division of Crown Publishing, 1977).

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#117661

  • Condition: Expected minor areas of fading and fraying at peripheries. Else intact and overall excellent.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

18% BUYERS PREMIUM ON LIVE & PREBID ABSENTEE BIDDING BY CREDIT CARD OR PAYPAL YOU MAY RECEIVE A 3% DISCOUNT FOR CASH IF YOU PAY IN PERSON.

20% BUYERS PREMIUM FOR PHONE BIDDERS AND A MINIMUM $50 OPENING BID ON EACH LOT.

13% BUYERS PREMIUM FOR LIVE BIDDERS AT FACILITY AND A 3% DISCOUNT FOR CASH

RING START TIMES

CRATE FINDS 10AM LOTS 3000-3999 (RING 3)

BID FIND 10:30AM LOTS 2000-2999 (RING 2)

CHOICE FIND 11AM 1000-1999 (RING 1)

LOCAL PICK UP MUST BE PICKED UP NO LATER THAN 3:00PM ON SUNDAY FOLLOWING THE AUCTION OTHERWISE YOU WILL BE CHARGED $10.OO PER DAY PER LOT STARTING ON MONDAY FOLLOWING THE AUCTION.

ONLINE BIDDERS: YOU MUST PAY WITHIN 24 HOURS OF THE END OF AUCTION YOU ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE TO PAY FOR SHIPPING SEPARATE. WEST SIDE MAIL CENTER WILL PICK UP ALL ITEMS ON TUESDAY MORNING THEY WILL CONTACT YOU TO ARRANGE SHIPPING HOWEVER PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT THEM AT ANYTIME AT 623-825-6016-OR EMAIL THEM AT
yourshipment@westsidemailcenter.com

***IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU CONTACT THEM TO GET AN ESTIMATE ON SHIPPING PRIOR TO BIDDING WITH US.****

All items purchased must be removed from facility by 3:00pm following day of auction. EJ'S Auction is not responsible for items left after purchase. Any items not removed from facility day of auction are left at buyers own risk.
Any items left after time time allowed will be subject to a $10.00 per day storage fee plus any expenses required for moving those items. Any items left after five calendar days constitutes forfeiture of the items and assets will become property of EJ'S Auction & Consignment and will be sold at next available auction.

INSPECTION AND PER-REGISTRATION: All buyers are encouraged to inspect all items prior to bidding.

REGISTRATION: All purchasers are required to register and give the necessary information requested. You are responsible for all purchases made with your number.

TERMS: All purchases require PAYMENT-IN-FULL at the end of live auction. CASH, VISA, MASTERCARD, DISCOVER, DEBIT ONLY. ANY ONLINE BIDDERS WHOM HAVE A CREDIT CARD DECLINE AT TIME OF PAYMENT WILL BE ASSESSED A $25.00 FEE

SALES TAX: Unless a tax resale license is provided prior to date of sale, the purchaser will be required to pay the combined Arizona State and local sales tax.

DEFAULT: In default the second highest bidder will be given the option to become the successful bidder at his/her last bid. The bidder in default will be responsible for the difference in the bids, or the entire amount of his/her bid should the second highest bidder not take the option to become the successful bidder. A service charge of 1½% per month, 18% APR, will be added to all overdue accounts. The bidder in default is also liable for all legal and collection fees.

PAYMENT DEADLINE FOR ALL BIDDERS: An account becomes overdue and in default 24 hours after the auction has been completed.

NO WARRANTY: Everything in this auction is being sold "AS IS - WHERE IS" to the highest bidder, without warranty or guarantee of any kind. ALL SALES ARE FINAL. EJ'S Auction & Consignment is not responsible for missing or broken items after the auctioneer sells that item. ABSOLUTELY NO REFUNDS.

CONDITION OF ITEMS SOLD: The auctioneer shall not be responsible for the correct description, authenticity of, or defect in any lot, and makes no warranty in connection therewith. No allowance will be made or sale set aside on account of any incorrectness, error in cataloging, or any imperfection not noted. No deduction will be allowed on damaged articles as all goods being exposed for public exhibition are sold as is and without recourse.

SALES LIST: A sales list may or may not furnished by the auctioneer. No guarantee as to the accuracy or description is made. Deletions and additions may take place.

SHIPPING: Bidders are responsible for the shipping of all items purchased.

REMOVAL: All items require PAYMENT-IN-FULL and an authorized receipt prior to removal. All items must be removed from the premises after live auction. Large item removal will be AFTER LIVE AUCTION IS COMPLETE. Small box lots and miscellaneous items can be removed during live auction. Removal shall be at the expense, liability and risk of the purchaser. Failure to remove items by said time constitutes forfeiture of the items and the assets will become the property of EJ'S Auction & Consignment. and may be sold at the next scheduled auction. "NO REMOVAL OF LARGE ITEMS PURCHASED BEFORE THE LIVE AUCTION IS COMPLETE" *****NO EXCEPTIONS****

PERSONAL AND PROPERTY RISK: Persons attending the auction or preview, during exhibition, sale or removal goods assume all risks of damage of or loss to person or property and specifically release the auctioneer from liability therefore. Neither the auctioneer nor his principal(s), nor his clients shall be liable by reason of any defect in, or condition of the premises on which the sale is held. Bidder Acknowledges responsibility for any personal injury or property damage caused by bidder or bidders agents, employees and representatives for and from (a) any and all personal injury to bidder and bidder agents, (b) any property damage occurring at the auction premises, and any and all suits, claims, damages, costs and expenses of every kind and nature which may or might be asserted against any of them as a result of the actions or omissions of bidder and or bidders agents.

DISPUTE BETWEEN BIDDERS: If any dispute between bidders occurs the auctioneer may decide to put the lot up for sale again. The auctioneer's decision is final and absolute.
ADDITION TO OR WITHDRAWAL FROM SALE: The auctioneer reserves the right to withdraw from the sale any property listed and also to add property not listed to the sale.

AGENCY: The auctioneer is only an agent and is not responsible for the actions of his consignor(s)/client(s).

AUCTIONEER'S LIABILITY: If for any reason whatsoever the auctioneer fails to deliver an awarded lot, the auctioneer's sole liability shall be the return of any deposit or moneys paid on such non-delivered lot.

TITLE: When the item is announced "SOLD" by the auctioneer/online bidding system it immediately becomes the buyer's responsibility. Title to the item transfers to the buyer at that time.
The seller(s), however, maintain a first security interest in all items until payment is received, including the collection of all funds. EJ'S Auction & Consignment and its personnel assume no responsibility for any missing or damaged items and are not acting as the buyer's security agent. EJ'S Auction & Consignment WILL NOT REFUND ANY BUYER FOR MISSING, STOLEN OR BROKEN ITEMS.

BUYBACKS: EJ'S Auction & Consignment does not permit consignors to repurchase or bid on their consigned items. If you suspect that this is occurring, please bring it to the attention of the auctioneer.

All internet winning bidders must pay their invoice within 24 hours of the day of auction end. No discount for cash for internet bidders.

REWARD: A $250.00 reward will be paid to anyone who leads to the arrest and prosecution of any person caught stealing, renumbering, or shuffling items from lot to lot; before, during or after the auction. Any and all theft will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

December 25, 2016 12:00 PM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 29.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000