Sailfish Mola Artwork Kuna Yala Panama

This is a handmade mola that I bought while in Panama. A Mola is the decorated yoke of a traditional woman's blouse of the Kuna people of Panama. They were originally inspired by body paintings of local flora, fauna and images of daily life. The Mola is created using a reverse applique technique of layering multiple, contrasting fabrics together, then cutting away layers to reveal the design. Tiny, nearly invisible stitching finish the edge of the cut away fabric. Intricate Molas made from two to seven layers of different color cloth are futher embellished with embroidery and additional top layers of small bits of applique for color. As the outside world discovered Molas, the designs were worked into panels and are often inspired by contemporary graphics. The sides are usually off and will not be even as shown. Many people frame and they look beautiful! Some are used as part of a quilt. I have one other and two small rounds as well.