Magnificent Molas: The Art of the Kuna Indians [Hardcover]

Michel Perrin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 31, 2000

This sumptuous new book reveals more than 300 fabric "paintings" made and worn by the women of the Kuna, a tribe of indians that live on the coral islands off Panama's Atlantic coast. Lively, varied, original and full of humor, Mola art has an astonishing relationship with tradition but in many ways looks contemporary and is prized by museums and private collectors throughout the world. The lavish images reveal the setting, lifestyle, gestures and beauty of the Kuna women practising their art. French anthropologist Claude Lévi-Strauss has praised Michel Perrin's brilliant demonstration of the links between Mola textile art and Kuna ritual and body decoration. Perrin depicts the significant events that took place during his field research and shares with us his discussions with the Kuna women and their opinions about techniques and aesthetics. The book also includes excerpts from myths and traditional accounts about the rituals, animals, plants, and objects that have stimulated the imagination and inspired the Kuna women to create these magnificent design

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Director of research at the CNRS (the National Center for Scientific Research), Michel Perrin is a member of the Laboratoire d'Anthropologie Sociale at the Collège de France and has taught at the EHESS and the University of Paris. An American Indian specialist, Michel Perrin's research has focused on mythology, symbolism, traditional medecine and art.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 200 pages
• Publisher: Flammarion (January 31, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 2080136747
• ISBN-13: 978-2080136749
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 0.8 x 11.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #993,966 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the ultimate praise of kuna arts, January 15, 2007

By 

Zwilling Gosta "Goesta C. Zwilling" (Verona, Italy) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Magnificent Molas: The Art of the Kuna Indians (Hardcover)

My wife is a fiber artist and I am the webmaster of her site. We own nearly 4.000 books and we have gladly added Magnificent Molas by Michel Perrin to our collection. It is difficult to imagine that anyone could do better than Perrin. His Magnificent Molas is a remarkable book in every sense: illustrations, text, layout and printing are all of highest level and come together in a well documented and passionate praise of the magnificent textile art of the kuna indians and their culture. It is even well written, so it makes pleasure to read. This book is a must for those who are interested primitive and textile arts.
Gösta & Agostina Zwilling, Verona, Italy

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Most Amazing Book On Molas, September 13, 2011

By 

RugBug (Dallas, Texas) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Magnificent Molas: The Art of the Kuna Indians (Hardcover)

This is just an incredible book. If you have ever been to the San Blas Islands (just off the Atlantic coast of Panama), you will certainly want this book. I was there in 2002 during a trip to the Panama Canal and the book is such a treasure. I'm so glad I found it. The pictures are wonderful. This is a MUST HAVE book for the textile person on your Christmas list.