Guna Mola Panel Paired Thunderbirds with Standing Figures

Panama (Guna Yala), circa 1960s–1970s 14 × 16 inches Exceptional and rare narrative reverse appliqué, appliqué, and embroidery mola panel incorporating the Spanish word "CIRCO" (circus) in multicolor appliquéd letterforms across the upper register — a striking example of Guna engagement with outside culture rendered in traditional textile form. The main field presents two large confronting thunderbirds with spread wings filled with dense multicolor horizontal stripe work, each supporting a standing Western-dressed human figure rendered in black and blue appliqué with embroidered facial features. Flanking creatures in the lower register include a stylized scorpion at lower left and at lower right, with an additional small quadruped at center. Executed in three layers of red, black, and green cotton with extensive appliqué and embroidery throughout. Multiband rickrack border at upper edge in purple, red, green, and pink. Provenance: From the Parker & Neal Collection