Two Thunderbirds Rising Between Maze Wedges Panama Mola

Two Thunderbirds Rising Between Maze Wedges Mola is a hand sewn textile by a Guna (Kuna) artisan in Panama. The two thunderbirds stand one above the other with their wings thrown wide, and the corner wedges are packed with squared spiral mazes in aubergine, magenta, dusty rose and olive green. There is a stormy calm to it that suits anyone who likes art with a hint of mystery. The panel comes in at 16.5 inches wide and 12 inches high, a good size for a frame with a wide mat. Try it in a study or a reading room where your quieter pieces live.

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: 16.5"
Height: 12"
SKU: PM2618T