Four People, One Boat, And No Discussion Panama Mola

Four People, One Boat, And No Discussion Mola is a hand sewn textile by a Guna (Kuna) artisan in Panama. Four small people face straight out of a broad boat, each one in a different color with dotted eyes and ladder striped chests, while upright paddle shapes line the top like oars put away for the moment. Their straight faced stare is oddly charming, like being caught interrupting a very important trip. It is 15.5 inches wide and 12 inches high, a size that suits a hallway, a family room or a cabin wall. Hang it in your lake house, a boathouse or a family room full of people who all want to steer.

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: 15.5"
Height: 12"
SKU: PM3716T

Each mola is stitched entirely by hand, so gentle care keeps it looking its best.

Hand wash in cold water with a mild soap, on its own. Do not wring, bleach, or tumble dry. Lay flat to dry, out of direct sun. If needed, press on the back with a warm iron, with a cloth between the iron and the mola.