Post #809740 by Prikli Pear on Mon, Jul 3, 2023 3:57 PM

The carvings and certainly the color palette look very much like PNG shields I've seen. I don't know enough a bout Java to comment on that as a potential point of origin, but it seems to me that the whole Indonesian region incorporates a lot of stylistic elements from surrounding regions, particularly when producing pieces for the tourist trade.

To answer your question "Is this tiki?" well, some purists would say no, because PNG is actually part of Melanesia rather than Polynesia. But then again, rum doesn't historically come from Polynesia and purists don't seem to have a problem with that. Neither does Trader Vic's, as PNG masks are a major component in TV decor--they even sell such on the TV website (when in stock). I wouldn't get too hung up on the authenticity angle, since when Donn Beach started this whole thing his was more of a found decor, beachcomber aesthetic. He'd definitely hang PNG in his place if he had access to them!