The "Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery" thread - General Tiki

B bigbrotiki Tiki Socialite Tiki Island, above the Silverlake Joined: Mar 25, 2002 Posts: 11621	B bigbrotiki Posted posted on Sun, Sep 9, 2012 2:22 AM I think that the Florida Mai Tiki imitation carvers were/are its own breed, not so much "artistes" and educated Tiki revivalist as you can find here, but folks like nursery/beach hut suppliers, that did it for the buck, so you won't find any ethical tears there. And they usually just stuck to the most obvious grinning teeth/pineapple head pattern - which, according to Wayne were not his own favorite, but the best selling items he himself repeated endlessly for that reason. Also: The "stealing" of designs happened since the inception of Tiki, with carvers competing for jobs, and Bill Westernhaver employees starting their own Witco-like lines. I am not saying it's OK, but just that it comes with the territory

I think that the Florida Mai Tiki imitation carvers were/are its own breed, not so much "artistes" and educated Tiki revivalist as you can find here, but folks like nursery/beach hut suppliers, that did it for the buck, so you won't find any ethical tears there. And they usually just stuck to the most obvious grinning teeth/pineapple head pattern - which, according to Wayne were not his own favorite, but the best selling items he himself repeated endlessly for that reason.

Also: The "stealing" of designs happened since the inception of Tiki, with carvers competing for jobs, and Bill Westernhaver employees starting their own Witco-like lines. I am not saying it's OK, but just that it comes with the territory

Post #651289 by bigbrotiki on Sun, Sep 9, 2012 2:22 AM