Large Vintage Hand Embroidered Panama Kuna Indian Tribal "Mola" in Frame!

Description

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. Today's molas are still made in the traditional, geometric designs, but might also be inspired by comic book characters, advertising, political posters, with the developing of tourism in Panama and the Kunas becoming in frequent contact with the tourist some of the newer molas are inspired by what they see.
The origin of the Mola: According to the first descriptions made by Andagoya in 1514 the Kuna women painting their skin (bodies) with geometric designs. They used dyes extracted from vegetable fibers, especially red, blue and yellow. In the middle of 1600s the women worn mid-length skirt woven with natural fibers, multiple necklaces that partially hide their breasts, and rings in their noses. In the 1700s paintings began to appear on the blouses worn by the Kuna Women. By the 1800s they were wearing skirts, blue baftas (blouses), and head covering, gold nose rings, coin necklaces, and earrings. In the early 1900s they were wearing the long chemise blouses with a large yoke made with mola, others had a border in the bottom of the blouse, short sleeve made of plain or print fabic and the wraparound skirt of printed fabric.
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 form 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.
Acquired from an estate of traveler who collected pieces from around the world (see my other items).  This framed and glass enclosed piece can be a statement piece to any wall.
Dimensions:
31" W x 25" H