MOLA, Bird, Hand Sewn, Traditional 2024 Kuna, Vintage, Perfect Condition, 100% Cotton, Beautifully Made, Incredible Colors! c.1980

Mola! Completely Hand Sewn Vintage Central American Bird in Perfect Condition. 100% Cotton/ Beautifully Made/Incredible Colors! c.1980. Approximately 14.125" x 17.75". Edges are uneven as this is exactly as it was done by the maker.

PERFECT condition.

Never mounted or previously framed. Vintage unused.

There is a great and expansive Wikipedia entry that I am going to excerpt. PLEASE support Wiki as it is a remarkable information resource for all of us!
The Kuna people are from the 2024 San Blas Islands region of Panama.
"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. Often, the stitches are nearly invisible. This is achieved by using a thread the same color as the layer being sewn, sewing blind stitches, and sewing tiny stitches. The finest molas have extremely fine stitching, made using tiny needles."

Also from the web:
Mola, which originally meant bird plumage, is the Kuna Indian word for clothing, specifically blouse, and the word mola has come to mean the elaborate embroidered panels that make up the front and back of a Kuna woman's traditional blouse.
There is much more information available...but hopefully, this gives a good background information.

* We will either shipped this textile flat, with an acid-free board and in an archival sleeve...or in a tube. We don't want to fold it!

There was a moment when these remarkable pieces were done with great fabric and completely hand sewn. This is it!

We pack VERY carefully!

No musty or stale odor whatsoever.

Since there are different costs to ship different items depending on weight, etc., we feel the fairest thing to do for everyone is to quote combinations as they are requested.

We'll definitely combine for shipping savings.

Please visit our other vintage and antique listings now up on ETSY.

* Insurance is included with this lovely textile.