posted on August 31, 2000 06:57:30 PM
I'm hoping someone on here may be familiar with the South American needlework called mola or molas. A neighbor has asked me to sell this for her and she said it is a mola.
However, it doesn't look like the other molas on Ebay. Can anyone identify this as being a mola or not being a mola?
posted on August 31, 2000 07:10:09 PM
Thank you Abacaxi. I knew this didn't look like the other molas on Ebay but I couldn't really pinpoint what the difference was from the pic. But your explanation clears it up for me.
posted on August 31, 2000 08:58:12 PM
I wannabuy...as stated earlier...molas are reverse applique. They are made by natives in Panama. The ones I have, which were purchased in Panama in the early 1970s all have vibrant colors, even though many are dark colors.
From my understanding, molas were used to create clothing.
posted on August 31, 2000 09:14:33 PM
No, it's not a mola, but definately an applique folk art piece. Looks Colombian rather than Panamanian. I have family in Colombia, and they bring home pieces that look very similar to this.
posted on September 1, 2000 09:45:53 AM
Nope, not a mola. Mola's are made by the Cuna who live on the San Blas Islands off the coast of Panama. I have quite a few that I purchased when I lived there.
The Cuna will, on occasion, make a custom design based on a buyer's description, but I've never seen one turn out like the posted pic.
The mola prices on eBay are not that high. A good one will usually sell for 30 dollars or so. I would list your item, with an appropriate description, in the folk art category.
