These are called molas, and they were made by the Kuna natives in a region that includes northern Panama and adjacent islands. Originally, molas were highly decorative native female blouses but starting around 1930 the Kuna began to use their skills to make decorative wall hangings.
Molas are made from flannel material imported from Europe. To make a mola is a time-consuming process that includes cutting interesting designs and layering them on a background and stitching them down. Then, more cutting is required, and detail is added. An early hand-stitched mola could take up to 60 hours to make.
The one with the cat is handstitched, and the other cat has some machine stitching. Today molas are mostly made in factories in Panama and are not very attractive. There is a mola museum in Panama City, which displays extraordinary antique pieces. https://museodelamola.org/en/
(Editor’s note: Palisades resident Howard Yonet has an interesting collection of curios from around the world and with his permission, Circling the News is publishing one a week. About the collector: Dr. Howard Yonet was born in Brooklyn in 1934 and attended Brooklyn College. He went to Baylor Medical School and then returned to do an internship at Bellevue Hospital. Yonet completed his residency at the Manhattan V.A. and the Montefiore Hospital. During this time he went skiing in Vermont and the Catskills, and while traveling found barns filled with early American pieces. This led to his interest in American Antiques.
In 1965, he married Daniele, who was originally from Nancy, France. During the Vietnam War, Yonet was drafted as a medical officer and stationed in Landstuhl, Germany (1966-1969). This was close to the French border, which meant he and Daniele and could visit her family.
While abroad, the Yonets took weekend trips through France and Italy, purchasing many interesting pieces at flea markets.
The family settled in Pacific Palisades in 1970 and Yonet practiced general radiology until 2006. He continued to acquire antiques and collectables at estate and garage sales and the Salvation Army Store. He also enjoyed looking for collectibles while traveling in Montana, Idaho, Colorado and Massachusetts. Daniele’s family helped add to his collection.)
INTERESTING!!!
Thank you, Howard………………..HAPPY THANKSGIVING