Beautiful Artwork from Panama

During our recent trip to Panama I was able to buy this beautiful piece of embroidered handwork called a mola.  The artistry of a mola reflects traditional Kuna culture.  Mola art, I have learned, was developed when Kuna women had access to store bought fabrics.  These designs are often inspired by modern graphics such as pictures from books and tv cartoons and in nature as the piece of artwork that I personally chose.  Many hours of careful sewing are required to create a mola and the ability to make an outstanding mola is a source of status amongst the Kuna women.  Would you look at the detail and the perfection of the stitches.

You can't see it from this photo, but there are 3 layers that comprise this lovely mola.  The quality of the mola is determined by such factors as the number of layers, fineness of stitching, evenness and width of cutouts, addition of details such as zigzag borders and lattice-work or embroidery.  Whoever the lady was who made this was indeed very talented and I am so happy to one day be able to incorporate it into one of my art quilts.