Post #380569 by TabooDan on Thu, May 15, 2008 4:30 PM

Regarding Tiki in TX's Mask find:

Greater minds than mine will tell it's not tiki. You knew that of course. It's from the Philippines or Mexico. I've got two of them myself.

Just my two bits here but you're right, they are not a Tiki (God) carving or are they based on one. However I think these types of masks could be described as Tiki (Tiki Decor) as they were hand carved in the Philippines and were sold in Hawaii to the tourists during the sixties and seventies and maybe through the eighties as well. I do not believe them to be Mexican. Ever notice how many of these are out there? Ton's of these came back from the Islands to the Mainland.

They were available through the Monkey Pod Giftshops that were in Hawaii and also at other places like the International Market Place in Hawaii. Some are seen with gold labels and others with white Philippine stickers on the backs. I have not seen one marked from Mexico.

I would imagine alot of people buying souvenirs or gifts weren't too sure on some of the Tiki carvings (especially those with the sharp teeth and horns from the Philippines, or angry Ku's or well-endowed, etc.....) and this gave them a little more of a happier or pleasant choice in the form of a memory or souvenir from the Islands.

Some Tiki/Polynesian Restaurants and Hotels did use these in their tropical decor. Not my favorites at all but definitely something hand carved from the Pacific!
It is good to see the larger sizes so not a bad find!! TabooDan

Oh....and didn't Orchids of Hawaii offer these for sale in their catalog as well?? Don't have the catalog but I thought I saw one in there once. Maybe someone else can help me out here.

[ Edited by: TabooDan 2008-05-15 16:36 ]