vintage yellow bird on branch mola applique embroidery

Molas are a hand sewn, layered reverse-applique needlework technique traditional to the Kuna people of Panama. These were made for the tourist trade in the 1970s, are completely hand-stitched and in excellent condition. The fabric is a lightweight cotton much like muslin. Both bird and leaves are embellished with running stitches and very fine chain stitches worked in floss. The size is 12″ by 17″, perfect for a pillow or framed as a grouping.