Variegated Squirrel Hiding In The Red Triangle Panama Mola

Variegated Squirrel Hiding In The Red Triangle Mola is a hand sewn textile by a Guna (Kuna) artisan in Panama. The squirrel is tucked inside a triangle that repeats outward in band after band, a nesting effect that comes from cutting down through one layer of cloth after another. Spotting the little creature in there feels like finding a secret meant just for you. At 16 inches wide and 11 inches high, it fits a standard frame and works well in a cluster of smaller art. It is a sweet choice for a nursery, a playroom or a cabin bedroom.

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: 16"
Height: 11"
SKU: PM3627T