A Watchful Face Of Spirals And Stripes Kuna Mola

A Watchful Face Of Spirals And Stripes Mola is a hand sewn textile by a Guna (Kuna) artisan in Panama. Spirals coil across the top and two blocks of narrow bars sit below them like a bristling mustache, so the design looks like pure pattern until a whiskered face suddenly appears. Once you see that stare you cannot unsee it, and guests will catch it at different moments. At 16 inches wide and 12.5 inches high, it has a slightly tall shape that works well in a portrait frame. Give it a spot in an entryway or a game room where people have time to notice it.

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: 12.5"
SKU: PM0967T