This guide is based on my personal experience and introduction to the wonderful world of Molas and the Kuna Indians of Panama. With this information, you should be able to make educated decisions on beginning your collection or learning to purchase and sell molas.

About two years ago, my friend, Len Brockman http://stores.ebay.com/traderbrock on ebay) introduced me to Panama Indian Art. Len has spent about 1/2 his life living and working in Panama and really knows what he's doing. He told me people actually bought these interesting cloth items and paid good money for them, but I was not convinced. I just didn't "get" it yet.

A mola is a cloth item, made by hand by the Kuna Indian women from the San Blas Islands off the northeast coast of Panama. The Kuna have sort of their own country there, separate, yet a part of, Panama. Years ago, when the leaders of the country tried to force new ways and new laws on them, they revolted and won their "independence" from Panama. So, today, they enjoy their own freedoms and customs and have the San Blas area of Panama as their own. The revolt took place in 1925, and as a result, you'll often find molas with a big "25" sewn into them.

These molas are probably best described as reverse appliqués. That is, they have several layers of cloth and holes are cut through the upper layers to expose the lower ones. Each seam around these cutouts is precisely hand sewn to show no edges. Then, they often attach additional colors to the top of the layers to provide more layers and more color.

  Example of a simple classic design mola.

There are so many factors that help to make up the value of a mola that you could probably never get it down to a science. Like so many other art works, molas are valuable to the buyer based on their own preferences. Some like newer ones that have never been worn, some prefer older, "worn" and washed molas. This is because the main use for these works of art is as a part of their vestiture. They sew them into blouses and wear them every day. Usually they make them in pairs that are very similar if not almost identical, and put one on the front and one on the back of the blouse.

Kuna Indian Mola artist in her traditional clothing.

The subject matter is also an interesting part of the value. Molas have subjects from astronomy to zebras. There are molas with nearly every kind of animal (although central american animals are more dominant) and nearly every kind of sea creature. You'll find flowers, religious themes, dates, and lots and lots of geometric designs.

The quality of the mola is a BIG factor in the price. The more delicate the work, the more layers it has, the more intricate the design, and the brightness and boldness of the color and design all come into play. Again, it's still a personal preference, but you almost have to experience the purchase process to see how it works.

If you go to Panama to purchase molas, you can find them in retail stores, in sidewalk sellers stacks, in the museums, department stores, and especially at the marts where the indian people set up to sell to tourists. There are several of these in the Panama City area and a couple that are close together are the old YMCA building and the Mola Mart. In each of these buildings, there are booths like you would find in an indoor flea market that line the sides and make rows of stores. Each one with 100's or 1000's of items that are all unique.
 

In this environment, you can purchase molas for as little as a few dollars each (if you're buying 10 or more at a time) and up to $40 or $50 each, depending on lots of factors, including the size of the mola. Very large molas (like 25-50 inches across) can bring up to $100 or more. The "standard" size (or average) is about 12" x 16" so that one mola fits on the front of a blouse. (The Kuna are short and thin as a general rule.)

On eBay, expect to find all sorts of deals on molas. On the low end, you can buy average size molas as low as $9.95 or less, and molita (small molas) for just a few dollars. However, the majority seem to fall in the $30-$100 range in price. These items represent several days of work for a Kuna woman and often is their only means of support, so price is sometimes a factor of how much the artist wanted for the item in the first place.

If you want to start collecting, start small and purchase some of the lower priced molas to see what you can get. Then work your way up to bidding on the really good ones.

Here are some "rules of thumb" for molas on eBay:

1) Like all art, the value is in the heart of the beholder.
2) Buy from people with experience who know what they are selling. There are several very reputable mola sellers on eBay.
3) Sellers often put lower cost or below cost items in as auctions to attract you to their stores. Start there and then go to their stores. There will be a LOT more to choose from in the stores!
4) Buy what YOU like.
5) When you buy a mola, some of that money went to help an Indian in Panama. That's good.
6) The more you learn about molas, the more you like them. It's addictive!
7) Have fun! Molas and collecting them are great fun and fun to show and share.

Finally, once you get a mola, what will you do with it?
Some people just like them and stack them like baseball cards. Some frame them and hang them around the house (They are quite tropical in nature and go great in a sun room!) Others make quilts, purses, shirts, and other useful items out of them. Some make tablecloths and Bedspreads from groups of them. Use your imagination!

To see more molas, you can also visit my ebay store:  http://stores.ebay.com/CP3-SuperStuff