Customer Reviews

Mola Designs (Dover Pictorial Archive)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
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Well documented and historically accurate. An excellent resource for mola enthusiasts. The only drawback, as with other Dover pubs., is that there are no color photographs. Recommend that you purchase a partner books with color photos to go along with this excellent & authentic book.

MOLAS as Textile Art have interested me since childhood. In the last few decades the Cuna Indian women have incorporated contemporary figures - - even copying parts of advertisements in their designs; this demonstrates the richness of their perception & humor. Molas have tradionally decorated the blouse of the native dress with colorful, intricate designs. The practice probably had its origin in body painting.

They have since been adapted by tourists as Art. Some are paired quite effectively as wall hangings, others have become quilts. Frederick Shaffer has planned this coloring book with designs grouped in ancient & modern themes: home, religion & superstition, animal life, vegetation, and also "practice panels" designed by young girls. The historical information with archival photographs is very helpful in understanding the culture & designs and adds considerably more value than most coloring books.

The word "mola" means reverse-applique needlework. This technique was for years unique to the Cuna women and is decidedly 'tricky' in execution. Reviewer mcHAIKU thinks that coloring the first illustrations may appeal more to adults. MY nostalgic self had fun coloring the "fish skeletons" with a gold Pilot fine point, a blue Zig Millenium (non-bleeding) and other pens, plus "Wite-Out." The pages are good enough quality that colors (mostly!) do not show through on the other side. Whether you color "outside the box" or in, you will find much to enjoy in this book from DOVER's Pictorial Archive Series.

I purchased this product as a gift.
The condition was great, and my expectation met perfectly.