Vintage Panama Kuna Mola Folk Art Reverse Applique Embroidery Quilted - Crab

Vintage Panama Kuna Mola Folk Art Reverse Applique Embroidery Quilted - Turtle

Excellent Vintage Condition
Unframed
See pics for Measurements

Traditionally made by the natives of Panama, the Mola tapestries depict themselves and their lives in nature, faith, and connection to the whole cosmos. Mola, a Kuna word, has several meanings: fabric or cloth, shirt or upper garment for men or women, brightly decorated women's blouses, or colorful layers of fabric, cut and hand-sewn into designs for fronts and backs of Kuna womens blouses

Designs are produced with a combination of reverse applique and applique. Two or more layers of different colors of cotton cloth are hand-sewn loosely together. The design and its details are cut through the top layer or layers to reach the color selected by the worker. Minute hand stitches attach each folded cut edge to a lower layer.