What kind of art are molas?
Molas, a traditional textile craft, are made from layers of colored fabric that are stitched and cut using applique techniques to create patterns and pictures. They originated in Panama, with the women of the Kuna tribe in the San Blas islands. But they have fans worldwide.
What were molas used for?
Molas are simple yoke-type blouses richly decorated by intricate needlework. Mola can mean the blouse that is daily wear for Kuna (sometimes spelled Cuna) women but most often refers to its front or back panel. They have been made for about a century.
What are molas worth?
$10 to $50
They are priced from $10 to $50. Learning to identify quality molas is not too difficult. The main points to look fur are the same as in any primitive art : detail and definition.
What are Panama molas made of?
cotton
Molas are handmade using a reverse appliqué technique. Several layers (usually two to seven) of different-coloured cloth (usually cotton) are sewn together; the design is then formed by cutting away parts of each layer. The edges of the layers are then turned under and sewn down.
What makes a mola valuable?
Crossroads Trade molas are priced by quality. The more expensive molas reflect more complexity, outstanding craftswomanship and fine design. We’ve also made a difference by providing reading glasses to the women. The older women are thrilled to be able to continue their work.
What is the main concept of a mola?
Meaning of Mola Symbols
Mola motives have their origin in body painting like they are still used by many indigenous groups of Latin America. A main concept in Molas is to leave as little unworked space as possible as the Kunas believe that evil spirits can settle in the free spaces.
What is a mola art work?
A mola is an appliqued fabric panel created by Cuna women, an indigenous people from the San Blas Islands of Panama. The term “mola” refers to a traditional blouse made by women to serve as front and back panels of the blouses they wear everyday.
What do molas look like?
They are a silvery color and have a rough skin texture. Mola are found in temperate and tropical oceans around the world. They are frequently seen basking in the sun near the surface and are often mistaken for sharks when their huge dorsal fins emerge above the water.
What colors are used in molas?
Each mola consists of two to seven layers of cotton cloth in the dominant colors of red, black, and orange. Pieces of the top layers are cut out, folded back, and hand-stitched down to expose the underlying colors.
What is the most traditional type of mola?
Geometric molas are the most traditional, having developed from ancient body painting designs. Many hours of careful sewing are required to create a fine mola.
What is the meaning of a mola symbol?
Molas are often used as “living history books”, showing hidden symbols of medical plants, protective symbols, or legends and stories. Typical Mola colors, such as burgundy, orange, or black are referring to the vegetable colors as used for body painting.
What are molas Panama?
Molas are simple yoke-type blouses richly decorated by intricate needlework. Mola can mean the blouse that is daily wear for Guna (previously spelled Kuna or Cuna) women but most often refers to its front or back panel. They have been made for about a century.
What does a mola represent?
What designs are most popular on molas?
The most popular mola designs include birds, fish, animals, flowers, and plants, but artisans also incorporate images from everyday life, including commercial logos, buildings, boats, vehicles, and household objects.
Why are molas made?
Molas were originally used as part of the women’s blouses. Molas are traditionally made and worn by the Kuna women and girls in pairs to serve as front and back panels of the blouses they wear everyday. Nowadays they are also sold to collectors and framed and exhibited.
Where did molas come from?
Molas are a brightly colored textile art created by the Kuna tribe from the San Blas Blas region of Panama. Mola means cloth or clothing in the Kuna language. These panels of stacked cloth are used to make women’s blouses. Girls learn to make these at an early age and can spend up to 100 hours making one Mola!