New Guninea items -image heavy! - Collecting Tiki

N nuimaleko Member Sacramento CA Joined: May 03, 2005 Posts: 70	N nuimaleko Posted posted on Wed, May 4, 2005 3:58 AM I was kind of wondering exactly what qualified as "Tiki". Does it have to be Polynesian inspired? I have some carved wooden plaques from the Philipines, I picked up in a junk shop near Portland. I would describe them as depicting water spirits. I thought they were Pacific Northwest native American, but one day I found the word Phillipines carved in tiny letters on the back. They look right at home with my Hawaiiana, but would also look fine next to a totem poll. I have seen things for sale on the web described as South American native "Tikis" and African "Tikis", even Chinese "Tikis". I guess any carved piece of primitive art or anything impired by it is now a "Tiki". Is this correct? Don't get me wrong. I am not knocking it. I just find it curious.

I was kind of wondering exactly what qualified as "Tiki". Does it have to be Polynesian inspired? I have some carved wooden plaques from the Philipines, I picked up in a junk shop near Portland. I would describe them as depicting water spirits. I thought they were Pacific Northwest native American, but one day I found the word Phillipines carved in tiny letters on the back. They look right at home with my Hawaiiana, but would also look fine next to a totem poll.
I have seen things for sale on the web described as South American native "Tikis" and African "Tikis", even Chinese "Tikis". I guess any carved piece of primitive art or anything impired by it is now a "Tiki". Is this correct?
Don't get me wrong. I am not knocking it. I just find it curious.

Post #156630 by nuimaleko on Wed, May 4, 2005 3:58 AM