Bidspirit auction | Guna Mola Panel Political Portrait

Guna Mola Panel Political Portrait Alonso Fernandez - Panama (Guna Yala), circa 1970s 15.25 x 19 inches Exceptional political portrait mola panel on a deep navy ground commemorating Alonso Fernandez, identified by the appliquéd text ”DIPUTADO” — deputy or congressman — in large letters across the lower border. A large frontal portrait bust occupies the right field, rendered with a densely embroidered navy face covered in fine multicolor dot-work, prominent eyeglasses with carefully embroidered lashes, a red nose ornament, and a red open mouth with white teeth — characteristics consistent with Guna facial adornment conventions. The name ”ALONSO FERNANDEZ” appears twice in multicolor appliquéd letters — once across the upper register and once in the center field — flanked by two appliquéd Pananmanian flags rendered in red, white, and blue. The surrounding ground is densely worked in vertical reverse-appliqué channels throughout. Executed in two layers of navy and red cotton, with appliquéd elements and extensive multicolor embroidered surface detail. A similar photo of this mola can be found on page 214 of MOLAS Folk Art of the Cuna Indians by Parker and Neal. Provenance: From the Parker & Neal Collection.