About this artwork
The midsection of this blouse features a mola, a textile made by a Guna artist of Panama. The mola was created by sandwiching many layers of cloth with different colors together. The maker cut concentric designs into each layer, folded the raw edges under, and carefully stitched them down, to reveal the layer beneath—a technique called reverse appliqué. These intricate patterns originated in traditional body paint but have become a defining Guna textile tradition in both Panama and Colombia. Instead of being made into blouses to be worn, like this one, other molas in the Art Institute of Chicago’s collection were sold as individual works of art.
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Status
- Currently Off View
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Department
- Textiles
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Culture
- Guna
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Title
- Mola Blouse
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Place
- Guna Yala (Object made in:)
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Date
- Made 1960–1969
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Medium
- Appliqué and reverse appliqué of cotton, plain weaves; embroidered with cotton in chain stitches; cords terminating in glass beads
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Dimensions
- 58.4 × 63.5 cm (23 × 25 in.)
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Credit Line
- Gift of Mr. and Mrs. David Grosvenor
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Reference Number
- 1971.920
Extended information about this artwork
Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.
