Post #432851 by bigbrotiki on Fri, Feb 6, 2009 7:35 AM

Despite the fact that the above "scared rabbit in the head light" posture is not known in any Oceanic carving traditions, I would venture to say that this piece captures the spirit of WHIMSY inherent in American Tiki, and is as such a fine addition to any collection.

It is interesting because the body is so rounded off and naturalistic, yet the face and head are very abstract and cubist. I wish it would not have painted-on nostrils.

But as I quoted the Master of Modern, P. Picasso, in the BOT:

"You don't need the masterpiece to get the idea. The concept or component of a style is entirely accessible in second-rate examples, and even fakes."

I agree, and as long as a carving contains the SPIRIT of Tiki somewhere, in some form, it's in. As a matter of fact.... the very fact that this is an "odd" example makes it "interesting"..."interessante" (quoting "I am Cuba"), since ALL primitive art pieces were once regarded as "oddities", and "conversation pieces".