Jumping For Joy Dolphin Mola

Two dolphins arc toward each other across this panel, outlined in cobalt blue and gold, their bodies speckled with hundreds of tiny embroidered dashes in every color going. Lime green fins spread out to either side, the corners are filled with stepped maze work, and just enough burgundy ground shows through to keep the whole thing from tipping into chaos. At 16.5 by 12 inches these two look genuinely pleased about something.

A mola is a hand stitched textile panel made by the Guna people of Panama. Layers of brightly colored cotton are stacked, then cut down through one layer at a time to reveal the colors underneath, with every raw edge turned and stitched by hand. The technique is called reverse appliqué, and Guna women have been refining it for generations. Molas were originally made in matching pairs for the front and back of a blouse, and the designs draw on birds, fish, plants, and geometric patterns from the islands and rainforest where they are made.

This panel comes from Guna Yala, the San Blas islands off Panama's Caribbean coast. No two molas are ever alike. Ready to frame, mount, or sew into a pillow or quilt panel. Small variations in size, stitching, and color are normal in handmade textiles and are part of what makes each one authentic.

Width: 16.5"
Height: 12"
SKU: PM3865T

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.