N''
Joined: Feb 21, 2011
Posts: 2718
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N''
three years ago i stumbled upon a marquesan style carved hardwood tiki at the arboretum in Arcadia Ca. the carving is not very deep and it appears that the ears were tacked on after the tiki was "complete:" but he is one good-looking dude (imho) this will be a long narrative so grab a seat and a mai tai. pix will be added by my brother tikivato as soon as he sees this post.
the past two years i was unable to get any info on this tiki other than "he's always been around" this year i could not find the tiki and lucky for me i asked .one of the workers at the arboretum if she knew were the tiki was. she pointed me in the right direction and shortly after i located him she showed up. "she" being Jill Vig, Curator, water conservation garden, L A county Arboretum. i asked Jill a jillion questions about this tiki. she seemed to be amused that anyone had such interest in their "hawaiian idol". Jill took me to see a couple of her coworkers- they thought that the tiki was leftover from a Hawaiian themed luncheon during the 70's. Jill and i parted-Jill promising to email me anything that she might learn about this mystery tiki. a week later Jill found me at the arboretum and told me the following;
Otis Chandler's estate donated his orchid collection , this 6-8' tiki and 2 small kine tikis (2') in the early 90's. the tikis were soon on display, the little bruddahs quickly disappeared and attempts were made to dig up the big guy by persons unknown. the big guy was put into "secure storage" at the arboretum until about three years ago. i happened to see Leroy at O A on one of my weekly visits and i showed him the pix that you should be seeing soon. Leroy continues to amaze. he said that this tiki was likely carved in Samoa by craftsmen working for Bob Carter-Carter was an importer bringing in lotsa tiki stuff in the 60's. Leroy added that Chandler was so wealthy that he probably sailed to Samoa to collect his tikis.
Jill has told me that there is renewed interest in the Hawaiian idol by the arboretum staff-even talk of relocating the "Chandler"tiki to a better spot. currently about 2' of his base is buried in the rich moist soil in the jungle area. i liked this tiki so much that i visit him any time that i am at the arboretum. i am a member of the L A international fern society. we have a growing area for our ferns at the arboretum and the society meets there monthly. the tiki is located about 20' south of the orchid room , the orchid room is on the n/e quadrant of the property. unfortunately most visitors don't notice the tiki as they traverse the concrete walkway to the orchid room. check Chandler out.
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