Kuna
Mola: Soldier Riding on the Back of a Turtle
1939-1969
Scroll
Kuna
Mola: Soldier Riding on the Back of a Turtle
1939-1969
Physical Qualities
Cotton, 16 x 19 1/2 in. (40.6 x 49.5 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Nancy and Robert Swindell, Baltimore
Object Number
2013.145
Panamanian mola depicting a soldier riding on the back of a turtle (tortoise). Soldier is wearing helmet and carries equipment on his back which appears to be similar to WWII style radio. He is holding a very long weapon (lance, gun?) in front of him. Red cotton ground with reverse appliqué of solid color fabric. Black, orange, green, yellow, lime, blue, purple, pink fabrics. At the bottom of the panel is a one-inch wide dark brown strip of fabric covering the edge. Panel was used as either the front or back of a woman's blouse.
The Baltimore Museum of Art by gift, 2013; Nancy Swindell, Baltimore