Guna Molas

The Harp Mola Collection

History of the Collection: The following place names in Panama will have little relevance for most folks but we have mentioned the various locations in Panama where the collection was acquired as a matter of historical interest for researchers and educators. For the most part, in the early 1970’s and through the early 1980’s, Susan and Bill Harp purchased the following collection of molas. Several were, however, purchased in the late 1960’s from Jane Gruver, the wife of a Baptist medical missionary, Dr. Daniel Gruver, who worked at Ailigandi, Guna Yala in the 1960’s. One of the mola blouses featured in the images, was a kind gift from Dr. James Howe during one of his visits to Panama. Several molas were bought from Mrs. Saltzman who had a mola and artesania shop on Veneto street near El Panama Hotel in El Cangrejo.

Most were bought directly from Guna women in Panama who sold molas and other artisanal goods in the Stevens Circle in Balboa and subsequently were relocated to the YMCA Gym in Balboa. When the YMCA closed, the vendors were moved to the old bachelor quarters on Gaillard Highway now the Avenida Arnulfo Arias Madrid and called the Mercado De Artesanías Balboa. Some of the Guna merchants were again relocated to Amador in the Amador housing area formerly known as Colonel’s Row. Some molas were purchased directly from vendors in Guna Yala and a few were acquired from other merchants who sold artisanal goods in Stevens Circle. Many of the molas were purchased in pairs and most were well-worn when purchased. So it is likely that many of the molas in the collection were created before the 1970’s.