Mola blouse

NameBlouse

CultureKuna; Cuna

Date1980s

Place madeSan Blas Islands/ Guna Yala, Panama, Central America

MediumCotton

Dimensions23 1/4 × 30 1/8 × 1 15/16 in. (59 × 76.5 × 5 cm)

Credit LineMuseum of International Folk Art, gift of Thomas J. Hannaher, A.2018.60.10

Object numberA.2018.60.10

DescriptionThis yellow blouse has a long pleated hem, boat neck and puffy sleeves. The neckline, sleeve openings, and seam at the top of the mola panel are trimmed in commercial rick-rack. The mola bodice panels, front and back, are large with designs based on the story of Adam and Eve. The background is traditional red with very fine appliqued triangles and reverse appliqued slits along a stylized tree trunk. Extending from the tree are branches with leaves, apples, and flowers detailed with a very fine chain stitch. A snake twines among upper branches and Eve sits beside the tree, hand to face while Adam stands on the opposite side, hands clasped together. Their torsos are of reverse applique; arms, face and hands are decorated with a miniscule running stitch, hair is done in bands of rainbow colored chain stitch. The opposite side is similar with a few exceptions. The snake winds around the tree's trunk with an opened and toothed mouth that appears to bite Eve's hand. Adam now has shorter hair, his arms are to the side and he looks on smiling.