These molas probably represent the bulk of the designs made by the Guna women. Many of these molas are done with geometric forms or repeat patterns of animals or flowers, but do not specifically present scenes of daily life or advertisements. Women make them knowing that they will look wonderful viewed from across an island or when a woman is paddling a cayuco (dugout canoe) toward shore. Molas were often are designed to be viewed from a distance.
Abstract - Geometric: Simplified Maltese Cross [1997.1.12]
This mola has a yellow background and black foreground with red introduced. It has a basic geometric design depicting a simplified cross.
Abstract - Spoke Wheels [1997.1.36]
This is an unusual mola because it depicts a spoke wheel pattern. Generally, molas are created using curvy patterns.
Abstract - Front and Back of Blouse [1997.1.6]
This pair is the front and back panels of the same blouse. The foreground color is orange, which is unusual, the more common colors being red or black. The abstract design is repeated four times on each side with a little figure in the center. The pattern is slightly suggestive of Guna earrings.
Abstract - Jungle Vine [1997.1.32]
The design is based on a jungle vine. In the top center, there is a little cutout that is quite atypical. It was an afterthought or a patched hole.
Abstract - Four Coils [1997.1.4]
here are four shapes that could be representations of sea worms with a center that is square-shaped. Pink colors are used against reds in the coloring of this mola. The artist has carefully cross-hatched and layered the
material to get a vertical and horizontal pattern that is uncommon. It is a technique not used frequently, but is found in molas particularly from around the 1960s.
Abstract - Maze [1997.1.24]
Abstract [1997.1.71]
This mola is faded with orange and red playing against black and green with a yellow outline all around. The pattern is organic in origin.
Abstract - Cat Form: Pine Trees [1997.1.30]
This a common pattern with many variations. Represented here is a cat-like creature among pine trees, which are not native to the San Blas Islands.