A Peal Of Bells Ringing In Red And Gold Panama Mola

A Peal Of Bells Ringing In Red And Gold Mola is a hand sewn textile by a Guna (Kuna) artisan in Panama. Each bell sits inside a squared off bracket that steps outward from it like the sound traveling away, and the pattern runs right off all four edges, the way it was cut from the blouse it once belonged to. It has a festive ring that puts you in a holiday mood whatever the season. At 16 inches wide and 11 inches high, it frames nicely or becomes a cheerful pillow front. Bring it out for the holidays or keep it up all the time in a dining room or entry.

Molas are built by stacking several layers of colored cotton, then cutting down through one layer at a time so the colors underneath show through, and turning every raw edge under and stitching it closed by hand. The technique is called reverse appliqué, and a good panel is judged by how fine the stitches are and how many layers deep the cutting goes. This one came from Guna Yala, the San Blas islands off Panama's Caribbean coast, where the designs draw on the birds, fish, plants and geometric patterns of the islands and rainforest. It is ready to frame, mount, or sew into a pillow or a quilt panel, and no two are ever alike.

Founded in 1991, TraderBrock celebrates the handcraft of Latin America's indigenous peoples. Every piece comes from Guna, Wounaan and Emberá artisans we know by name, and all profits are reinvested in their communities for education, tools and the teaching of ancestral techniques. Buying from TraderBrock helps keep their culture and their traditions alive.

Width: 16"
Height: 11"
SKU: PM2555T